Pro Wrestling of America

[magiccitydawg]

Alrighty then. I am back with a circuit I am having fun with. This is going to be called Pro Wrestling of America, otherwise known as PWA. I am starting this in 1960. I am going to be doing a lot more booking in this one. I am going to pay attention to retirement dates, but I am going to be soft on debut dates. If a wrestler is closer to the beginning of the year in debuting, I will start him January 1. If he is closer to mid year, he will start in June or July.

All championship matches will be two out of three falls unless otherwise noted. My main hub of matches will be Birmingham, AL, Nashville, TN and Atlanta, GA. Memphis, TN, Dothan, AL, and Columbus, GA will be on a rotating basis. Birmingham will be my "Madison Square Garden" matches, with Atlanta being my "Boston Garden" matches, and Nashville being my "Washington, DC" matches. Most all major title changes will occur in one of those three cities. There will be mention of other towns, though no actual matches will be run for them. I am going to also try to somewhat take you into the promoter's office as well.

Here is my starting roster. I will try to keep the roster tight and manageable.

FACE:

Antonino Rocca
Bobo Brazil
Butcher Vachon
Danny Hodge
Edouard Carpentier
El Santo
Jay Strongbow
Lou Thesz
Maddog Vachon
Pat O' Connor
Pepper Gomez
Verne Gagne

Heel:

Brute Bernard
Buddy Rogers
Dick the Bruiser
Fritz Von Erich
Gorgeous George
Johnny Valentine
Killer Kowalski
Skull Murphy
The Crusher
The Destroyer
The Sheik
Tojo Yamamoto

Tag Teams Face:

Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez
Maddog Vachon & Butcher Vachon

Tag Teams Heel:

The Crusher & Brusier
Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy

I want to keep my teams apart from the singles competition as much as possible unless someone leaves. I realize that there may be a pairing a little ahead or a little behind of actual time, but I am sure that I will not cause a rift in the time continuum ;D. So I will start posting through the weeks and months to come on this one.

[magiccitydawg]

The wrestling scene was influx entering the 1960s. The eastern promoters, lead by Vince McMahon Sr. and Toots Mondt had not yet broken away from the National Wrestling Alliance. And rumors of several mid-west promoter breaking away from the NWA were realized as the American Wrestling Alliance was formed. Southern promoter Nick Gulas saw this happening well in advance. So in 1958, with his partner Roy Welch, and fellow promoters Lee Fields and Rocky McGuire from Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling, Paul Jones from Atlanta, and Fred Ward from Columbus, decided to form their own promotion called Pro Wrestling of America.

Through out 1959, Gulas and Welch used the TV studios in Birmingham to run live TV wrestling for the fans in the Birmingham market, and tape delay with interviews for the rest of the territory. Through this, they introduced the talent that would be the foundation for the PWA, setting up the grand tournament which would be held in Birmingham, AL at the beautiful Boutwell Auditorium on January 1, 1960 to crown the PWA World title and PWA Tag Team titles. The most surprising signing to happen was when Verne Gagne came on board. Gagne, being groomed to be the new AWA champion, was not expected to take part in the PWA, but the rules were relaxed to include other champions from other areas. And even though most all of the wrestlers who were under Gulas and Welch have decided to stay with a rival Memphis promoter, the door remained open if anyone wanted to come in, no questions asked. Thus begins the rise of the PWA.

[magiccitydawg]

Friday, January 1, 1960

After watching their fill of parades and football, the wrestling fans in Birmingham, AL decided to round out their New Year celebration by going to the inaugural PWA house show, As the fans filed into Boutwell Auditorium, they could sense that history was about to be made tonight. Nick Gulas, on the Saturday night before, promised something very different.

PWA Birmingham, AL 1/1/1960

[Semi-Finals]:
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated
Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez when Crusher pinned Gomez with the Bolo Punch
in 0:16:26.
Rating: ** 3/4

Rocca and Gomez put up a great fight, but Crusher and Bruiser were on their game and moved on to the finals.


[Semi-Finals]:
Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy defeated Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon when
S. Murphy pinned B. Vachon with the Heart Punch in 0:07:10.
Rating: -**

Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy defeated the Vachon brothers to set up the collision of the two most brutal tag teams ever.


[Finals]: Match for the vacant PWA World Tag Team Titles:
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated
Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy when Crusher pinned S. Murphy with the Bolo Punch
in 0:06:50.
Rating: ** 1/2
(Crusher & Bruiser won the PWA World Tag Team Titles.)

The match itself was a bloodbath, but Crusher and Bruiser took the win and became the new PWA Tag Team champions.


[Round 1]:
Bobo Brazil pinned Buddy Rogers with the Coco Butt in 0:03:31.
Rating: **

Bobo Brazil moves on to the next round. Rogers seemed to have other things on his mind through the match and just let his guard down tonight.


[Round 1]:
Fritz Von Erich defeated Danny Hodge when Danny Hodge passed out in
a stomach claw in 0:00:52.
Rating: *

Fritz made surprisingly quick work of this match. As they say, they don't get paid by the hour.


[Round 1]:
Gorgeous George defeated Edouard Carpentier by disqualification in 0:14:43.
Rating: * 1/2

Gorgeous George moves on to the next round by defeating the incredible French-Canadian.


[Round 1]:
El Santo pinned Johnny Valentine after a rana in 0:10:35.
Rating: ***

The Mexican sensation made an incredible debut in American wrestling taking one from Valentine. This would have to be the upset of the night so far.


[Round 1]:
Jay Strongbow made Killer Kowalski submit to the Sleeper in 0:02:53.
Rating: 1/4*

The Chief moves on to the next round.


[Round 1]:
The Destroyer made Lou Thesz submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:08:05.
Rating: *** 3/4

A great match which qualifies as another upset special. The Destroyer moves on.


[Round 1]:
The Sheik made Pat O'Connor submit to the Camel Clutch in 0:09:20.
Rating: **

The Sheik also scores another upset in the night. Already the fans know something special will happen tonight.


[Round 1]:
Tojo Yamamoto made Verne Gagne submit to the Stomach Claw in 0:21:46.
Rating: * 1/4

Tojo Yamamoto, a Nick Gulas original, scored the biggest upset of the night by defeating Gagne. Tojo moves on to the next round.


[Round 2]:
Bobo Brazil pinned Fritz Von Erich with the Coco Butt in 0:04:47.
Rating: *** 1/4

Fritz made short work of Danny Hodge in the first round, but he fell to Bobo Brazil in a very good match. Bobo moves on to the semi-finals.


[Round 2]:
El Santo defeated Gorgeous George when Gorgeous George passed out in the
Camel Clutch in 0:07:26.
Rating: *** 3/4

Once again, El Santo scores another impressive win, this time against Gorgeous George. El Santo moves on to the semi-finals.


[Round 2]:
Jay Strongbow pinned The Destroyer after a gutwrench suplex in 0:08:42.
Jay Strongbow tore his left quadricep muscle. He will be out for approximately 5 cards.
Rating: * 1/2

Jay Strongbow won the match, but lost the war in the same match. The Destroyer lost his cool after the match and attacked Strongbow, and locking in the figure-four, causing The Chief to be injured. Strongbow would not continue in the tournament.


[Round 2]:
The Sheik pinned Tojo Yamamoto after a lariat in 0:07:43.
Rating: -*** 1/2

Not a great match, but The Sheik defeated Tojo in Birmingham, AL, which is unheard of. The Sheik moves on to the semi-finals.


[Semi-Finals]:
Bobo Brazil pinned El Santo with the Coco Butt in 0:09:59.
Rating: *** 1/2

Bobo Brazil and El Santo had a great match, in which the Mexican sensation had to do most of the work. Bobo took the nod and moved on to the finals.


[Semi-Finals]:
The Sheik won over Jay Strongbow via default.

[Finals]: Match for the vacant PWA World Heavyweight Title:
Bobo Brazil pinned The Sheik with the Coco Butt in 0:03:10.
Rating: -** 3/4
(Bobo Brazil won the PWA World Heavyweight Title.)

Old enemies wound up in the final match of the tournament, and like always, the match turned into a bloodbath between these two. After the match, a bloodied Bobo Brazil had his hand raised in victory, setting off the strongest show of emotions Boutwell Auditorium had seen in a long time. Under security, Bobo had to be led back to the dressing room as some of the fans came close to causing a riot. With beer bottles and debris flying from all directions, Birmingham's finest had to come in to take control as Nick Gulas was forced to award the belt to Bobo in the dressing room for safety's sake.



Card rating: * 1/4

[snabbit888]

Ah, making Brazil the champ in 1960s highly-racist Birmingham, AL? Ballsy.

[magiccitydawg]

May 31, 2013 13:13:57 GMT -5 snabbit888 said:

Ah, making Brazil the champ in 1960s highly-racist Birmingham, AL? Ballsy.

It was a known fact that Nick Gulas used Bearcat Brown as his main draw in the 60s and the 70s. He even teamed him with Jackie Fargo to create the first multi-racial tag team to headline wrestling in the south. So this wouldn't be new.

[snabbit888]

Doesn't make it any less ballsy.

[magiccitydawg]

The live Saturday night TV from Birmingham, AL was sent to the Nashville market to be shown the Monday night before their big event. Tojo Yamamoto wrestled in the second match, taking on "Buckwild" Jim Durango. After making short work by clubbing Durango with one of his wooden shoes, announcer Sterling Brewer sends it to a commercial. In the pre taped segment, it is announced to Nashville fans that Tojo will indeed challenge Bobo Brazil for the PWA World title this Friday night.

Tojo tells the fans that Americans are weak and cowardly. He says that they didn't even support Brazil when he won the title in Birmingham, AL. He goes on to say that this is why he laughs when he hears Americans say that all have the right to rise to great heights except for certain people. he closes to say that this Friday night, he will be the new PWA Champion and raise the Japanese flag over the PWA!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday night comes and the fans give the PWA in Nashville a standing room only sell-out.

PWA Nashville, TN 1/8/1960

Haystacks Calhoun pinned The Sheik after hitting him with a baking tray in
0:01:59.
Rating: -*** 3/4
[Tojo Yamamoto interfered against The Sheik.]

Not a good match at all. The fans are wondering why Tojo, who is in the main event, would risk suspension interfering in a match that held no interest to him.

The Sheik was very upset in the dressing room as a shoving match took place between he and Tojo. Wrestlers from both dressing rooms had to separate the two as Sheik told everyone in earshot that he wants Tojo anyplace any time.

Danny Hodge pinned Killer Kowalski with the Oklahoma Roll in 0:22:57.
Rating: **** 1/4

A strong match of the night candidate as Danny Hodge and Killer Kowalski gave the fans something to cheer about after the awful match that started the night. Hodge took the match and both guys were congratulated for a tremendous match.

El Santo and Fritz Von Erich battled to a draw in 0:20:00.
Rating: **** 1/4

El Santo and Fritz Von Erich came and followed the last match with another match of the night candidate with neither one getting the win.

The Destroyer made Verne Gagne submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:09:44.
Rating: ** 1/2


Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez defeated Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy when
Rocca defeated S. Murphy by disqualification in 0:06:20.
Rating: 1/2*


Gorgeous George pinned Pat O'Connor with the Rolling Headlock in 0:09:49. Gorgeous George suffered a neck injury. He will be out for approximately 10 cards.
Rating: ** 3/4

Second ever PWA card and the second injury for the PWA. This one may be the one which will be more remembered in PWA history. It was said that the Gorgeous one passed out on the way to the hospital, but came back around in the emergency room.

Buddy Rogers defeated Lou Thesz by disqualification in 0:09:31.
Rating: ** 1/4

A reasonable match for the Nashville fans. Buddy Rogers has set his sites on the belt at some point in time and may have set the tone for the PWA for some time to come.

Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated
Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon when Bruiser pinned M. Vachon after
a backbreaker in 0:05:30.
Rating: -1/4*
(Crusher & Bruiser retained the PWA World Tag Team Titles.)

The tag champions defended their belts in what would be called a bloodbath of a match. Not very good for the fans.

Johnny Valentine pinned Edouard Carpentier after an elbowsmash in 0:00:30.
Rating: *

This match was sent out before the main event as Nick Gulas was still giving Tojo a dressing down for his part in the first match. Apparently the Sheik said something to Gulas during the night. Valentine and Carpentier were given orders to make it short and build up his "hard elbow" shot.

No-Time-Limit-Match:
Bobo Brazil pinned Tojo Yamamoto after a piledriver in 0:02:19.
Rating: -3/4*
(Bobo Brazil retained the PWA World Heavyweight Title.)

This was the punishment which was dealt to Tojo for his part in the first match. Bobo made short work of Tojo as Brazil used the piledriver, getting more fans on his side for shutting up the "Japanese Menace".


Card rating: *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tojo Yamamoto and The Sheik were ordered to the PWA offices and were in Nick Gulas' office. He dressed down both men for their brawl in the dressing room, and told Tojo that he couldn't put the belt on him that night because he screwed up in Sheik's match. Tojo apologized to Sheik who accepted, but told Nick that if it happened again, he would not be responsible for what happens to Tojo! The Sheik was also told that he would get the shot in Atlanta, GA.

With the injury to Gorgeous George, the PWA officials have signed Harley Race to fill in and maybe become a fixture in the PWA.

PWA in Atlanta, GA 1/15/1960

PWA World Title

Bobo Brazil (C) vs The Sheik

PWA Tag Team Title

Antonino Rocca & Pepper Gomez vs Crusher & Bruiser (C)

Special Match

Haystacks Calhoun vs The Destroyer

Plus all of the top stars of the PWA

[magiccitydawg]

The live TV wrestling from Birmingham, AL was shown on tape the same night the week before the big event in Atlanta, GA. During the commercial break, Harley Race is interviewed for the Atlanta showing. Giving his opponent, Danny Hodge, great respect, he counters with the fact that he had never met a man such as Harley Race. Race states that he has been wrestling since his teens, and that will enable him to win the match in Atlanta.

When the TV returned, Crusher and Bruiser are in a match against the masked team known as the Red Rangers #1 & #2. Red Ranger #1 never got in the ring as Crusher and Bruiser destroyed Red Ranger #2 in record time. Then, they throw Red Ranger #2 out of the ring and double team Red Ranger #1 until Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez run in to rescue the hapless tag team, setting up the big title match in Atlanta.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PWA Atlanta, GA 1/15/1960

Edouard Carpentier pinned Killer Kowalski with the Somersault Senton in 0:03:31.
Rating: ** 1/4

Carpentier's air show was a little too much for Killer to handle as he went down in defeat in under 4 minutes.

Pat O'Connor made Fritz Von Erich submit to an armlock leglock submission in 0:25:39.
Rating: ** 1/4
[Gorgeous George interfered against Pat O'Connor.]

An injured Gorgeous George made a special appearance and played the sympathy card for one night as he sat back and watched his friend Fritz Von Erich take on his rival Pat O' Connor. Then George tripped O'Connor early in the match and the referee sent the Gorgeous One back to the dressing room to prevent any further injury to him. Going past their scheduled time, O' Connor was able to focus on Fritz and lock a submission on him to gane the win.

Johnny Valentine pinned Verne Gagne after a backslide in 0:34:24.
Rating: *****

This match went beyond their time limit as well, because no one wanted the match to end! It was that good! Valentine got the edge on Verne in a backslide and managed to hold his shoulders down for the three count!

Number-One-Contenders-Match:
Buddy Rogers pinned Lou Thesz with the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:13:36.
Rating: ****

In a rematch from Nashville, Thesz and Rogers II was a much better match match for the Atlanta fans. With the win, Rogers has become a solid #1 contender for a near future title shot at the World title.

Tojo Yamamoto made El Santo submit to the Stomach Claw in 0:15:08.
Rating: ****

The man who was the butt of the jokes last week by being punished for his role last week was able to turn things around and put himself in a better situation as he gave the best match in his career against El Santo. At the 14 minute mark, word was sent to the referee, El Santo, and Tojo of the finish, and they did it without a flaw.

Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy defeated Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon when
S. Murphy pinned M. Vachon after a powerslam in 0:10:26.
Rating: -** 1/4


Haystacks Calhoun pinned The Destroyer with the Big Splash in 0:22:34.
Rating: *** 1/2

This was scheduled to be "Chief" Jay Strongbow vs The Destroyer, but because of the injury, Haystacks Calhoun was thrown in, and landed a great Big Splash to defeat the masked man in Atlanta!

No-Time-Limit-Two-out-of-three-Falls Match:
Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez beat
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) 2 falls to 0:
x Rocca beat Bruiser via disqualification in 0:21:35
x Rocca beat Bruiser via disqualification in 0:21:51
Rating: *** 3/4
(Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez won the PWA World Tag Team Titles.)

The run in from Birmingham TV carried over to Atlanta as Gomez and Rocca took the tag team belts from the big brutes from Chicago!

Harley Race pinned Danny Hodge with the Piledriver in 0:32:54.
Rating: *** 3/4

Harley Race made an outstanding debut in the PWA as he took the measure from Danny Hodge.

No-Time-Limit-Two-out-of-three-Falls Match:
Bobo Brazil beat The Sheik 2 falls to 0:
x Brazil beat Sheik via the Coco Butt in 0:22:22
x Brazil beat Sheik via the Coco Butt in 0:30:41
Rating: -*****
(Bobo Brazil retained the PWA World Heavyweight Title.)

Nick Gulas' plan to make Bobo Brazil more popular in the eyes of the fans seems to be working as he takes on The Sheik and defeats him in two straight falls to keep the title.


Card rating: * 1/2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TV Saturday before the broadcast.

Lee Fields comes into the promotion office and tells Nick Gulas that he has secured two new wrestlers. They are Billy Robinson and Lou Albano. Nick congratulates him as Roy Welch joins them. Gulas then informs Roy that he intends to end the Brazil/Sheik matches in Birmingham inside a steel cage. He then tells Roy Welch and Lee Fields that he intends to work Buddy Rogers as soon as the March show in Birmingham. The start setting up interviews for Rogers to do to lead up to the match in March.

[magiccitydawg]

WOW! I had a *****match and a _*****match on the same card! That has to be a record somewhere!

[magiccitydawg]

A special live TV broadcast was presented in Memphis on Wednesday night to push the house show coming up on Friday night. Killer Kowalski, who is scheduled to challenge Bobo Brazil, has just finished giving a pounding to everybody's favorite loser, The Masked Blue Bubba. After the match, Killer was invited to the announce desk to pump up the crowd for the title match. He says that Bobo's title reign as PWA Champion will be over this Friday night. As he talks, Bobo Brazil makes a rare TV appearance as he takes on Wyatt Earp IV. Bobo wins the match, which causes Killer to climb on the ring apron to taunt the PWA Champion as the program goes off the air.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PWA Memphis, TN-1/22/1960

El Santo pinned The Sheik after a flying cross body press in 0:19:08.
Rating: -1/4*

El Santo continued to show the American wrestling fans that he is a force to be dealt with as he defeated the top contender The Sheik.

Lou Albano defeated Danny Hodge when Danny Hodge passed out in a side headlock in 0:23:29.
Rating: ** 3/4

The PWA fans welcomed Lou Albano as he defeated Danny Hodge and showed that he has what it takes to compete in the region.

Harley Race pinned Verne Gagne with the Piledriver in 0:27:55.
Rating: **** 1/2
(Buddy Rogers no-showed.)

Travel connections fell through for Rogers, as he couldn't make it for this all important match. However, Harley Race decided to go out even though he has a match later in the evening. He and Gagne put on one of the best matches of the night as Race put the Piledriver to good use and take home the winner's purse.

Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon defeated Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy when
M. Vachon pinned S. Murphy after a Northern Lights suplex in 0:16:48.
Rating: -* 1/2


Johnny Valentine defeated Lou Thesz via pinfall in 0:23:48.
Rating: *** 1/4

In a surprise, Johnny Valentine defeated Lou Thesz. Nick Gulas seems to be rewarding Valentine for the great match he had last week against Verne Gagne.

Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated
Edouard Carpentier and Pat O'Connor when Crusher made O'Connor submit to
an airplane spin in 0:06:25.
Rating: *** 1/4

Crusher and Bruiser had an easy win as it seems that Carpentier and O' Connor just didn't click as a team.

The Destroyer pinned Haystacks Calhoun with the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:09:29.
Rating: ** 1/4

After losing to Haystacks last week in Atlanta, the masked sensation decided to try a different attack. making a track meet out of the match, Destroyer tuckered out the big man and got the figure four on him for the win.

Harley Race pinned Billy Robinson with the Piledriver in 0:36:28.
Rating: ****

In his second match of the night, Harley had enough to defeat Billy Robinson and score the second best match of the night.

No-Time-Limit-Match:
Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez defeated Fritz Von Erich and Tojo Yamamoto when
Rocca defeated Fritz when Fritz passed out in an airplane spin in 0:03:43.
Rating: ***
(Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez retained the PWA World Tag Team Titles.)

Fritz Von Erich and Tojo Yamamoto seemed to be at odds as the champions took advantage and made short work of the match to retain the belts. As a result, Tojo and Fritz has been signed for Dothan, AL next week.

No-Time-Limit-Match:
Bobo Brazil pinned Killer Kowalski with the Coco Butt in 0:14:11.
Rating: **
(Bobo Brazil retained the PWA World Heavyweight Title.)

Bobo and Killer gave a pretty good match to the fans, but Brazil took the edge and retained the belt.


Card rating: ** 3/4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The card for Dothan, AL at the Houston County Farm Center:

PWA World Title

Bobo Brazil (C) vs Johnny Valentine

PWA Tag Team Titles

Antonino Rocca & Pepper Gomez (C) vs Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy

Two Special Challenge matches have also been signed

Fritz Von Erich vs Tojo Yamamoto

Pat O' Connor vs Verne Gagne

Plus all of the stars of the PWA.

[magiccitydawg]

The wrestling fans in Dothan, AL were treated to a great live TV event in their market three days before the house show at the Houston County Farm Center. The match most fans were interested in was Tojo Yamamoto vs Fritz Von Erich. Both men claim to be the master of the Stomach Claw, a devastating hold that, when applied, can render a man paralyzed for live. Fritz was up in the first match as he took on Farmer Watson from Mudlick, KY. After a proper roughing up, Fritz applied the Stomach Claw to Watson, who gave up quickly to avoid injury.

In the next match, Tojo took on the masked man called Zoltar the Great. It took little time for Tojo to get his opponent in his version of the Stomach Claw, which made Zoltar give up as well. However, Tojo kept his hold on until several wrestlers had to come out and pull him off. Zoltar wound up being stretchered out of the studio.

The night before the Dothan show, the PWA was in Opelika, AL and put on a rather good event. Fritz Von Erich finished his match against Billy Robinson, when Tojo came out and challenged Fritz right there. Fritz didn't back down and quickly applied his Stomach Claw on Tojo. Tojo, in turn, applied his Stomach Claw on Fritz at that same time. As both men went down to their knees, wrestlers had to come into the ring to separate them and lead them to the dressing room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PWA Dothan, AL 1/29/1960

Killer Kowalski made Danny Hodge submit to a chinlock deathlock submission in 0:12:50.
Rating: *** 1/4

Danny Hodge locks Killer Kowalski in a standing wristlock. Killer Kowalski manages to grab the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds. Danny Hodge hits an armbar takedown on Killer Kowalski. Danny Hodge executes the Oklahoma Roll on Killer Kowalski. Andrew Thomas counts: One, shoulder up.

Danny Hodge whips Killer Kowalski into the ropes. Killer Kowalski hits Danny Hodge with a shoulderblock. Killer Kowalski locks Danny Hodge in a chinlock deathlock submission. Danny Hodge summons one last burst of energy. Danny Hodge submits after 15 seconds.The decibel level in the building is unbelievable.

The winner is Killer Kowalski. Time of match: 0:12:50

Haystacks Calhoun pinned The Sheik after a powerslam in 0:03:56.
Rating: -** 1/2

Haystacks Calhoun nails The Sheik with a hiptoss. Haystacks Calhoun is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Haystacks Calhoun gets a bearhug on The Sheik. The Sheik reaches the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds.

Haystacks Calhoun whips The Sheik into the ropes. Haystacks Calhoun executes a powerslam on The Sheik. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, three. The crowd is giving Haystacks Calhoun a standing ovation.

The winner is Haystacks Calhoun. Time of match: 0:03:56

Billy Robinson pinned Lou Albano with the DOUBLE ARM SUPLEX in 0:14:30.
Rating: ** 1/2

Billy Robinson whips Lou Albano into the turnbuckle. Billy Robinson runs shoulder-first into the corner. Billy Robinson puts Lou Albano in a full nelson. Lou Albano is struggling to reach the ropes. Billy Robinson lets go after 25 seconds. Billy Robinson executes the DOUBLE ARM SUPLEX on Lou Albano. Billy Robinson goes for the pin. Brian Hebner counts: One, two, three. The crowd erupts.

The winner is Billy Robinson. Time of match: 0:14:30

El Santo made The Destroyer submit to the Camel Clutch in 0:25:08.
Rating: *****

El Santo runs into the ropes. El Santo hits The Destroyer with a kick. El Santo hits The Destroyer with spinning headscissors. El Santo hits The Destroyer with a chop. El Santo uses a Russian legsweep on The Destroyer. El Santo hits an elbowdrop on The Destroyer. El Santo executes the Camel Clutch on The Destroyer.

The Destroyer is inching his way towards the ropes. The Destroyer is writhing in pain. Mike Sparks tells The Destroyer to respond or he'll stop the fight. The Destroyer nods. The Destroyer tries to fight the pain. The Destroyer submits after 35 seconds.

The crowd is giving El Santo a standing ovation.

The winner is El Santo. Time of match: 0:25:08

Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated
Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon when Bruiser defeated M. Vachon by disqualification in 0:42:05.
Rating: *
[Edouard Carpentier interfered against Dick the Bruiser.]

The Crusher enters the ring, but gets cut off. Butcher Vachon uses a backbreaker on Dick the Bruiser. Maddog Vachon executes a flying cross body press on Dick the Bruiser. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, kickout. Maddog Vachon and Butcher Vachon whip Dick the Bruiser into the ropes. They hit Dick the Bruiser with a double kick to the midsection.

Butcher Vachon leaves the ring. Maddog Vachon whips Dick the Bruiser into the ropes. Edouard Carpentier trips Dick the Bruiser. Mike Chioda disqualifies Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon. The decibel level in the building is unbelievable.

The winners are Crusher & Bruiser. Time of match: 0:42:05

[Special Challenge Match 1]:
Verne Gagne defeated Pat O'Connor when Pat O'Connor passed out in a half Boston
in 0:13:36.
Rating: *** 1/2

The crowd is going into a frenzy.

Verne Gagne is going for the cover. Chad Patton counts: One, two, kickout. Verne Gagne hits Pat O'Connor with a roundhouse right. Verne Gagne catches Pat O'Connor in a half Boston.
Chad Patton checks Pat O'Connor's arm. He lifts it... it falls. He lifts it... it falls. He lifts it... it falls. Chad Patton stops the match after 18 seconds.

The crowd is going into a frenzy.

The winner is Verne Gagne. Time of match: 0:13:36

[Special Grudge Match]:
Tojo Yamamoto defeated Fritz Von Erich by disqualification in 0:14:08.
Rating: *** 1/4

Fritz Von Erich executes the Iron Claw on Tojo Yamamoto. Tojo Yamamoto is valiantly trying to break the hold. Tojo Yamamoto breaks the hold after 48 seconds. Tojo Yamamoto whips Fritz Von Erich into the ropes. Fritz Von Erich hits Tojo Yamamoto with a kick. Fritz Von Erich takes Tojo Yamamoto down with a kick to the head. Fritz Von Erich hits Tojo Yamamoto with a flying bodypress.

Jack Doan counts: One, two, thr... shoulder up. Fritz Von Erich catches Tojo Yamamoto in a chokehold. Jack Doan warns Fritz Von Erich to let go. Jack Doan counts: One, two, three, four. Jack Doan counts: One, two, three. Jack Doan counts: One, two, three.
Jack Doan disqualifies Fritz Von Erich.

The cheers for Tojo Yamamoto are drowning out the boos.

The winner is Tojo Yamamoto. Time of match: 0:14:08

Buddy Rogers defeated Edouard Carpentier by disqualification in 0:14:24.
Rating: ** 3/4

The chants for Edouard Carpentier are deafening.

Edouard Carpentier kicks Buddy Rogers. The chants for Edouard Carpentier are deafening. Buddy Rogers kicks Edouard Carpentier.
Edouard Carpentier punches Buddy Rogers. Edouard Carpentier runs into the ropes. Buddy Rogers goes for a bodyslam, but Edouard Carpentier counters it with
a small package. Charles Robinson counts: One, two, thr... shoulder up.

Edouard Carpentier throws Charles Robinson into the ringpost. Charles Robinson is out cold. Charles Robinson slowly gets up.
Charles Robinson disqualifies Edouard Carpentier. Buddy Rogers is being booed out of the building.

The winner is Buddy Rogers. Time of match: 0:14:24

Lou Thesz made Harley Race submit to the Spinning Toe Hold in 0:16:24.
Rating: **** 1/4

The decibel level in the building is unbelievable.

Harley Race nails Lou Thesz with a punch. Harley Race executes an eye gouge on Lou Thesz. Harley Race goes for a ropeburn, but Lou Thesz blocks it. Lou Thesz whips Harley Race into the ropes.
Lou Thesz goes for a hiptoss, but Harley Race counters it with a lariat. Harley Race hits a backslide on Lou Thesz. Jimmy Korderas counts: One, two, kickout.

Harley Race chops Lou Thesz. Harley Race hits Lou Thesz.
Harley Race whips Lou Thesz into the ropes. Lou Thesz hits Harley Race with a swinging neckbreaker. Lou Thesz executes the Spinning Toe Hold on Harley Race. Harley Race is struggling to reach the ropes. Harley Race tries to fight the pain.
Harley Race submits after 11 seconds. The crowd erupts.

The winner is Lou Thesz. Time of match: 0:16:24

No-Time-Limit-Two-out-of-three-Falls Match:
Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy beat Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez 2 falls to 0:

Antonino Rocca runs into the ropes. Brute Bernard misses with a clothesline. Antonino Rocca misses with an elbow. Brute Bernard misses with a kick. Brute Bernard hits Antonino Rocca with a shoulderblock. Brute Bernard uses a powerslam on Antonino Rocca. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, Pepper Gomez doesn't make it in time... three. Brute Bernard is eliciting a sizable round of boos.

The winners are Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy. Time of match: 0:25:28
x Bernard beat Rocca via a powerslam in 0:25:28

Skull Murphy nails Pepper Gomez with a headbutt. Skull Murphy hits an elbowsmash on Pepper Gomez. Skull Murphy executes the Heart Punch on Pepper Gomez. The crowd is booing Skull Murphy.
Skull Murphy goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, Antonino Rocca doesn't make it in time... three. The crowd is booing Skull Murphy.

The winners are Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy. Time of match: 0:48:38

x S. Murphy beat Gomez via the Heart Punch in 0:48:38
Rating: ***
(Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy won the PWA World Tag Team Title)

No-Time-Limit-Two-out-of-three-Falls Match:
Bobo Brazil beat Johnny Valentine 2 falls to 0:

Johnny Valentine hits Bobo Brazil. Bobo Brazil punches Johnny Valentine. Bobo Brazil executes a headbutt on Johnny Valentine.
Bobo Brazil executes the Coco Butt on Johnny Valentine. The crowd is on its feet cheering for Bobo Brazil. Bobo Brazil goes for the pin. Danny Davis counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Bobo Brazil.

The winner is Bobo Brazil. Time of match: 0:11:59

x Brazil beat J. Valentine via the Coco Butt in 0:11:59

Johnny Valentine gets a standing wristlock on Bobo Brazil. Bobo Brazil is struggling to reach the ropes. Bobo Brazil inches his way towards the ropes after 22 seconds. Johnny Valentine goes for a dropkick, but Bobo Brazil side-steps and Johnny Valentine only hits air. Bobo Brazil hits a headbutt on Johnny Valentine. Bobo Brazil executes the Coco Butt on Johnny Valentine. The crowd is giving Bobo Brazil a standing ovation. Bobo Brazil goes for the pin.
Danny Davis counts: One, two, three. The crowd is on its feet cheering for Bobo Brazil.

The winner is Bobo Brazil. Time of match: 0:18:50

x Brazil beat J. Valentine via the Coco Butt in 0:18:50
Rating: *** 1/4
(Bobo Brazil retained the PWA World Heavyweight Title.)


Card rating: ***
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Backstage:
It was said that since Fritz Von Erich and The Sheik are such close friends, he was offended by what happened between Sheik and Tojo Yamamoto a few days back. So much so that Fritz demanded a match against Tojo. Nick Gulas figured he could give Von Erich his match in Dothan, settle things between all parties, and prevent this from getting out in the press.

Also, the fans are now questioning where Edouard Carpentier's mindset is at. He has gotten involved in a couple of matches lately, and now threw a referee into a ringpost. Carpentier has expressed to be a heel before, but the timing hasn't been right. And now that Gorgeous George is said to be coming back in March, the timing may not be right now.

Hirings:

The PWA wishes to welcome the following:

Jackie Fargo
Billy White Wolf
Gene Kiniski
Tor Kamata

[magiccitydawg]

As the weeks progressed in the Birmingham TV wrestling market, this card has been building up for weeks in advance. Newcomers Gene Kiniski, Billy White Wolf, and a Nick Gulas loyalist Jackie Fargo made their TV debuts. Also, the new team of Tor Kamata and Tojo Yamamoto, along with well known Chicago wrestler "Playboy" Gary Hart squashed the team of "Texas" Pete Williams and a young masked man going by the name of Red River.

The TV main event featured the PWA World Champion Bobo Brazil as he took on a young man named "The Wild Irish Rose" Ray Rose. The match never started as his challenger for this Friday night, The Sheik, jumped Brazil before the bell. As Bobo was picking himself up off the mat, The Sheik threw fire at him. Brazil ducked, and the fire hit Rose instead. Wrestlers came from the back to pull Sheik back to the dressing room as Bobo and the studio medics tended to Ray Rose as the show went off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PWA Birmingham, AL 2/5/1960

Billy Robinson defeated Lou Albano when Lou Albano passed out in a grapevine in 0:04:47.
Rating: * 1/4
Lou Albano has been trying to turn his luck around, but has not had much success. He wouldn't gain any traction as he lost to Bill Robinson tonight.

[PWA Debut Match 1]:
Billy White Wolf defeated Killer Kowalski when Killer Kowalski passed out in a sleeperhold in 0:00:54.
Rating: *
For some reason, Killer Kowalski was too busy giving the referee a "dressing down" about his being checked and did not realize that the bell had rung for the match. Taking the advantage, Billy White Wolf locked in his sleeper and put out Killer in record time.

[PWA Debut Match 2]:
Jackie Fargo defeated Gene Kiniski by disqualification in 0:19:07.
Rating: *
Nick Gulas loyalist Jackie Fargo debut against another newcomer Gene Kiniski. While not their best efforts, it wasn't as bad as some were depicting it, and Fargo made a triumphant debut in Birmingham.

Billy Robinson pinned Fritz Von Erich with the DOUBLE ARM SUPLEX in 0:16:47.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Haystacks Calhoun no-showed.)
Haystacks Calhoun's flight was delayed (a match in Chicago with another promotion) so Billy Robinson subbed against Fritz Von Erich. They did not disappoint the fans and improvised the best match of the night.

Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated
Lou Thesz and Billy White Wolf when Bruiser made Thesz submit to an airplane spin in 0:02:25.
Rating: ***
(Pat O'Connor no-showed.)
O'Connor, who was also in Chicago, did not make it to Birmingham, so Billy White Wolf took his place, teaming with Lou Thesz to take on Crusher and Bruiser. Apparently, Thesz had someplace to be as he submitted to an airplane spin. Really?

El Santo defeated Harley Race via pinfall in 0:19:25.
Rating: ****
El Santo seems to be heading for some kind of belt in the near future as he defeated Harley Race in a clean pinfall.

Tojo Yamamoto and Tor Kamata defeated Antonino Rocca and Pepper Gomez when Tojo Yamamoto defeated Rocca when Rocca passed out in the Stomach Claw in 0:15:42.
Rating: ***
The Japanese duo showed that they are a force to be contended with as they defeated the former tag champions.

Buddy Rogers pinned Edouard Carpentier with the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:15:39.
Rating: ** 1/2
Buddy Rogers knows he gets his chance at the PWA Title next month, and he is setting himself up to be a strong contender as he defeats the French-Canadian sensation via the Figure-Four.

[Special PWA Grudge Match]:
Jay Strongbow pinned The Destroyer after a gutwrench suplex in 0:13:43.
Rating: *** 1/4
Fans in Birmingham remember when Strongbow was carried out of the ring after his match against Destroyer in the PWA World title tournament, even though he won the match. The attack after the match was on the minds of the fans as well as on the mind of Strongbow, as he went after his foe from the very start, and didn't look back.

No-Time-Limit-Two-out-of-three-Falls Match for the vacant PWA United States Title:
Johnny Valentine beat Verne Gagne 2 falls to 0:
x J. Valentine beat V. Gagne via the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:24:13
x J. Valentine beat V. Gagne via an elbowsmash in 0:24:44
Rating: ** 3/4
(Johnny Valentine won the PWA United States Title.)
Johnny Valentine and Verne Gagne had one of the best matches ever Atlanta, and both were rewarded the chance to become the new PWA United States champion. Valentine, however, was the man of the night as he took Gagne out two straight falls.

No-Time-Limit-Two-out-of-three-Falls Match:
Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy beat Butcher Vachon and Maddog Vachon 2 falls to 0:
x S. Murphy beat B. Vachon via a powerslam in 0:16:18
x S. Murphy beat B. Vachon via a powerslam in 0:25:54
Rating: -****
(Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy retained the PWA World Tag Team Titles.)
A not so good match to say the least as Bernard and Murphy kept the belts.

No-Time-Limit-Cage Match:
Bobo Brazil defeated The Sheik by escaping the cage in 0:25:17.
Rating: -****
(Bobo Brazil retained the PWA World Heavyweight Title.)
This match brought an end to Sheik's title ambitions (in Birmingham, at least) by losing to Brazil inside the cold, hard steel cage! The Sheik does get one more shot in Memphis in three weeks.


Card rating: 3/4*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nick Gulas and Roy Welch were in Gulas' office in Birmingham discussing future matches when Lee Fields came knocking. Entering the office, Fields hands him some papers. He tells Nick and Roy that many of the fans are not happy about Bobo being the champion. Nick told him that he already knows the feelings of the fans as Buddy Rogers enters the office and shakes hands with all three promoters as Rocky McGuire enters as well and closes the door behind him...TBC.

[magiccitydawg]

I haven't forgotten about this project guys. I just got buried by the new (well, updated) boxing sim I posted about in another thread. Will be back soon.