Captain Kremmen

JUNE 1990 AWA HQ - ST. LOUIS PARK, MN Jim Crockett had steam in his strides as he walked to Bill Watts' office. Crockett did not knock. Bill: Dammit, Jim! Knock first! Jim: Sorry, Bill. I've got major news. Bill: Hit me with it. Jim: Tully is no longer in contract talks about returning to the NWA! Bill: Really?! Hot damn! Bill happily slammed his hand down on his desk. Jim: We need to start talking to him pronto about coming to work for us here. Bill: I agree. Signing Tully would be huge for us. If we can land him, it really makes it look to the fans like we're becoming serious players again. Jim: Three major signings in short order if Tully comes on board along with Nikita and Barry. Bill: We've upgraded the women's division and given Mimi some new challengers. The men's division is upgraded and we really needed that! Plus, bringing in Scott Norton and Billy Jack Haynes on a regular basis adds fuel to the tag team scene. Jim: We need to bring more of those Portland wrestlers in on a regular basis. Bill: I'm on board. I love the work of Rip Oliver. He's an excellent heel. Jim: We should also look at bringing in the Grappler and Mike Miller as regulars, too. Bill: I'm really liking where things are headed. We need to keep Portland Wrestling alive, though. You know, we recently sent Valentine up there to defend the Pro Wrestling Heritage strap in three cities: Portland, Seattle and Bend, Oregon. That outdoor show at the baseball stadium in Bend drew over 2,000 people. People are hungry for a change in the Northwest. The AWA should be the promotion that delivers that change. Jim: Are you talking about touring in the Pacific Northwest? Bill: Yes. The AWA champion has appeared there several times over the years on Pacific Northwest shows. Let's just send our guys on a tour there. We can hit Seattle, Portland, Bend, Spokane and a few other towns in Washington and Oregon. It expands our territory and gives us a foothold there if we can tour there fairly regularly. Plus, next months All-Star TVs are being held in Casper, Wyoming. Hoping we can draw 3,000 for the show. Jim: Do you think we should do this gradually. We don't want to over-extend ourselves. Bill: Of course. Let's try a Northwest tour in fall or early winter. Jim: Let's put the cities together and get Eric to work booking them. Bill: Let's do it. The two talked about the pan for a Northwest invasion. The question is would it work? The AWA was starting to gamble! CLASSIC PWI COVER!!!

From AWA '73 - The Outlaws vs, Billy Robinson & Don Muraco:

AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING SYNDICATED PROGRAM - ROCKFORD METROCENTRE - ROCKFORD, IL - JUNE 1990 Announcers: Jack Reynolds & David Crockett Ring Announcer/In-ring Interviewer: Eric Bischoff (# Aired on a previous AWA program.) (1st Taping) Show Intro In-Studio: Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program: Said All-Star Wrestling has a new announce team in the new era AWA! We have a new World Champion! Wahoo McDaniel defeated cactus Jack to win the gold at WrestleRock! A look at the historic match PLUS! a post-match interview with new champ Wahoo Col. DeBeers def. Sgt. Slaughter in their loser leaves the AWA match at WrestleRock PLUS! post-match comments from DeBeers TV MAIN EVENT: Jonnie Stewart vs. Jerry Blackwell Highlights from WrestleRock plus post-match interviews A look back at last week's controversial win by Bob Orton over the Trooper on last week's program Jake Milliman & Greg Gagne vs. Badd Co. (w/ Mgr. DDP) The ASW debut of 'Big' Reggie Bennett PWHC Champion Greg Valentine sees action And more! Nelson talked about what a great event WrestleRock was and then sent it to the ring in Rockford, IL. Announcers Jack Reynolds and David Crockett introduced themselves to the viewers and said they were excited to be part of the new era AWA. Hector Guerrero vs. The Grappler (From Portland Wrestling) Guerrero came to the ring to mariachi music down the face aisle to a decent ovation from the crowd. The Grappler came out to a mild response down the heel aisle. Grappler took control early but Hector fought back from the beating and gained an advantage. Hector a house of fire. Hector worked Grappler over and bodyslammed Grappler. Hector mounted the top buckle facing the crowd as Grappler got to his feet. Hector came off with a moonsault but Grappler fell out of the way and Hector slammed into the mat and blew apart like a pinata. Just kidding about the pinata part. As Hector slowly and painfully made it to his feet, Grappler tapped the toe of his right boot into the mat. Hector up and walked right into a kick to the gut from Grappler. Hector crumpled to the mat. Grappler for the cover and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Grappler up and the ref raised his hand in victory as some of the crowd booed. WINNER: Grappler - Pinfall - 4:08 Grappler went over by the ropes and demanded the mic from Bischoff and got it. Grappler: You people may have noticed the presence of wrestlers from the Pacific Northwest here in the AWA in recent months. Well, let me tell you something! You're gonna see a lot more of us in the weeks and months to come! You may not know who the hell we are! But, mark my words, you're gonna know who we are real soon! And you're gonna respect us, dammit! And when you're the best, what do they call you?! The Grappler! Grappler dropped the mic and left the ring to some boos but the crowd seemed more stunned that anything. Announcers discussed the strong words from Grappler and wondered what the AWA could be in store for in the future. Video clip aired showing the masked mystery man putting the Trooper out with an ether-soaked rag with the caption: NEXT... UNWANTED NAP!!! Commercials Ad aired for the AWA PPV Super Clash 5 - Sunday - Sept. 16 - Mecca Arena - Milwaukee, WI - Bell time: 8pm E/5pm P. Tickets on sale Saturday - June 16 at 10am CST! In-Studio: Nelson intro'd footage from the end of last week's match between Bob Orton and the Trooper on AWA on ESPN. VIDEO: # Trooper moved in and hit Orton with shoulder blocks to the gut. Orton then shoved Trooper back and Trooper collided with the ref and both men went down. Orton stomped on Trooper and snapped Trooper up and went to suplex Trooper but Trooper twice blocked the suplex try and, just as the ref got to his feet, Trooper suplexed Orton into the ref and the ref crashed back down to the mat. Crowd buzzing (or just buzzed). Orton snapped up Trooper and whipped Trooper into the ropes and missed Trooper coming off with a clohtesline and Trooper came back and pulverized Orton with his flying shoulder tackle finisher. Crowd popped. Ref still down. Trooper backed up as Orton got to his feet. Trooper charged in and popped Orton with another flying shoulder tackle. Orton crashed back down to the mat. Trooper went over and checked on the ref. Masked mystery man came through the crowd and hopped the chain barricade and climbed in the ring. He had a cloth and spray can with him. Mystery man held the cloth up and sprayed it. Marshall: What is that smell, Lord James?! Blears: Smells like ether, Lee. Mystery man snuck up behind Trooper and placed the rag over his mouth. Trooper struggling trying to escape the gas. Trooper weakened fairly quickly and passed out on the mat. Orton had recovered enough and crawled over and covered Trooper and the masked mystery man dragged the ref over to count. Mystery man escaped through the crowd. Ref counted. 1.....2.....3! Ref called for the bell as the crowd booed. A dazed and confused Trooper barely moving. Orton and the ref to their feet and Orton had his hand raised in victory. END VIDEO In-Studio: Nelson intro'd comments from the Trooper. VIDEO: Video opened with a shot of Trooper in his police gear, sunglasses trooper hat and mic in hand. Trooper: Masked man! It's time for you to man up and show yourself for who you really are! Take off the mask and let us see your real identity! I don't know what your problem is with me! But you need to face me eye-to-eye! I'm gonna lay down the law with ya right now, masked man! I want a match with you! I want to be able to fight you without the element of surprise! I'm sick of you Pearl Harboring me! I had Bob Orton beat and then suddenly... I have this wet cloth over my mouth and nose and out go the lights! There will be a day of reckoning between us, masked man! I promise you that! I don't know who you're working for! Is it Valerie?! Is it someone else! OIr, do we know each other and you're targeting me for something in our past! Whatever the reason, masked man, man up! Sign the contract! And let's rumble! I'm gonna unmask you if it's the last thing I ever do! END VIDEO Pic aired of the WrestleRock logo with the caption: NEXT... WRESTLEROCK HIGHLIGHTS!!! Commercials/Market-specific promos for house show cities/Generic promos for non-house show cities In-Studio: Larry Nelson intro'd the WrestleRock highlights package. Video package was 3-minutes long as the musical score The Fight by Giorgio Moreder played. THE FIGHT: https://youtu.be/J9L0oei2SYA?si=tnqq_UtHjIJ6ZcSK In-Studio: Nelson talked about what a great event WrestleRock was. Nelson then sent it back to the ring in Rockford. 'Big' Reggie Bennett won a squash match over Marceline Jones via submission with her split-leg rear chinlock. Reggie released the hold and the ref raised her hand in victory. Bennett got a fair response coming down the face aisle. Announcers put Bennett over strong as a potential serious threat to Mimi's title reign. Reggie Bennett finisher: https://youtu.be/iyQze6-NH9c?si=aUFgvWWQkSwsJ6HO&t=214 Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... TAG TEAM ACTION!!! Commercials Badd Co. (w/ Mgr. DDP) vs. Jake Milliman & Greg Gagne Badd Co. and DDP made their way down the heel aisle to strong boos. Once in the ring, the trio briefly played to the crowd to more boos. Greg Gagne and Jake Milliman made their way down the face aisle to cheers. Once in the ring, Milliman tore off his '2% Forever' t-shirt and threw it into the crowd. Short match was a wild affair with both sides tearing into each other. End of the match saw Milliman and Pat Tanaka the legal men in the ring. Tanaka was on the offensive. After dropping Milliman with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head, Tanaka backed up. Milliman up and turned and Tanaka went for a superkick but Milliman grabbed Tanaka's leg. Tanaka begged off but Milliman spun Tanaka around facing away from him and nailed Tanaka with an atomic drop. Tanaka staggered holding his privates. Crowd popped. Jake hit Tanaka with a couple of punches, whipped Tanaka into the ropes and caught Tanaka coming off with a powerslam. Crowd popped as Jake popped up and cupped his hand to his ear to hear the roar of the crowd. Jake ran and hit the ropes and came off and nailed Tanaka with his Pasteurizer finisher. Jake for the cover. 1...2... Paul Diamond hit the ring and stomped Jake in the back to break up the pin try. Diamond grabbed Jake and threw Jake over the top rope and down to the floor. Ref called for the bell. Gagne hit the ring and nailed Diamond with a dropkick that sent Diamond crashing into the buckles. Gagne moved in and fired away on Diamond with punches and Tanaka recovered and jumped Gagne from behind. Ref again called for the bell to no avail. Diamond and Tanaka started working Greg over in the ring. Jake recovered on the floor and climbed into the ring just as DDP tossed his cane to Diamond but Jake intercepted it. Crowd roared as Jake blasted Tanaka with the cane across the chest. Tanaka crashed to the mat and rolled out of the ring. Jake then turned and rammed the head of the cane into Diamond's gut and doubled over Diamond and then Jake sent the cane crashing down across Diamond's back. Diamond went down. Diamond up and Gagne popped Diamond with a dropkick that sent Diamond falling through the top and middle rope down to the floor to more cheering. DDP seemed more concerned with getting his cane back than the health of his men. Jake walked around using the cane as a walking aid to the delight of the crowd. Jake then teased breaking the cane across his knee. DDP apoplectic at ringside. Diamond recovered, snuck up behind Jake and snatched the cane out of Jake's hands and bolted the ring. The dastardly trio was now out on the floor as Diamond handed DDP his cane as Gagne and Jake looked on from the ring. WINNER: Jake & Gagne - DQ - 3:37 Video footage aired from the DeBeers-Sarge match at WrestleRock with the caption: NEXT... THE END OF AN ERA!!! Commercials/Market-specific promos for house show cities/Generic promos for non-house show cities In-Studio: Nelson intro'd video from the end of the Sarge-DeBeers loser leaves the AWA match from WrestleRock PLUS! post-match comments from DeBeers. VIDEO: # DeBeers climbed out on the apron and mounted the top rope. Sarge to his feet and DeBeers came off in an attempt to hit Sarge with a helmeted headbutt from the top rope but Sarte caught DeBeers with a kick to the gut. DeBeers grabbed his gut and staggered around and walked right into a series of punches from Sarge followed by a gut drop across the knee. DeBeers lost the helmet. Sarge stomped DeBeers in the head, went over and picked up the Army helmet and put it on. Crowd buzzing. Sarge assumed the 3-point stance. DeBeers up and Sarge charged in and blasted DeBeers in the chest with the top of his helmet-laden head. Crowd exploded. DeBeers crashed back to the mat. Sarge tossed the helmet and backed up as the crowd rose to its feet. DeBeers slowly up and Sarge charged in and popped DeBeers with his... Crockett: CANNON! CANNON! CANNON! DeBeers down. Sarge covered DeBeers and hooked the leg. Crowd counted along. 1...2...3... NO! DeBeers got a shoulder up. Loud crowd groan. Sarge reached down to snap up DeBeers and Debeers nailed Sarge with a low-blow. Sarge crashed to the mat holding his goods. Crowd heat intense. Both men down. Ref checked on both men but could do no more. Both men slowly to their feet and DeBeers nailed Sarge with an open-hand throat-thrust that stunned Sarge. Sarge fell against the ropes holding his throat. DeBeers moved to the corner and untied the top turnbuckle exposing the steel underneath. DeBeers punched Sarge and went to whip Sarge into the exposed turnbuckle steel but Sarge reversed and sent DeBeers crashing back-first into it. Crowd popped. Sarge quickly regained his bearings and charged in on DeBeers but DeBeers moved and Sarge slammed chest-first into the exposed steel. Sarge slowly turned and was grabbing his chest and DeBeers caught Sarge with a kick to the chest. DeBeers then hoisted Sarge up and blasted Sarge with a face-first piledriver. DeBeers turned Sarge over for the pin. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as most of the crowd booed loudly but DeBeers also had his core of fans. DeBeers to his feet and the ref ref raised his hand in victory as some trash pelted the ring. DeBeers looked out at the crowd which only made them madder. DeBeers left the ring and threw his fists defiantly in the air to more garbage as he headed back up the heel aisle. Nelson: Col. DeBeers is your winner! Sgt. Slaughter must leave the AWA! END VIDEO Pic flipped and DeBeers was standing in his locker room with mic in hand still fresh from the violent affair. DeBeers had a white towel draped around his neck. DeBeers: Sgt. Slaughter... DeBeers used the towel to dab off some some of the blood-encrusted sweat from his face. DeBeers: Sgt. Slaughter. Your time in the AWA is finished. Your run here as the big star of the promotion is over. A two-time AWA World Champion. And now it's all crumbled to dust. You're now nothing but a memory in the AWA. The match was violent. The match was bloody. The match was one of no mercy because there was no mercy was to be had in the first place. One of us was leaving the AWA today. And in the end, I was the winner. I will go down in the record books as the man who vanquished, you idiotic, decadent Americans might need to look that word up, Sgt. Slaughter. I may be the most despised wrestler in the world today because of my brave stance in defense of the great nation of apartheid South Africa. I am a man that speaks the truth on many issues. And that's why you Americans hate me with a violent passion. Americans don't like truth. And now, Sgt. Slaughter is gone. Kaput. But, you still have me: Col. DeBeers. Every time you see me, whether in the ring, on TV or just out in public somewhere, you'll always think of me as the man who demolished America's Hero. I tore the heart out of America. But, let's not kid ourselves; America has no real heart like the white people of South Africa. Heartlessness is an American virtue. Sgt. Slaughter is gone from the AWA. And I, Col. DeBeers, am the man who is left standing tall. END VIDEO In-Studio: Nelson said Sarge losing to DeBeers was indeed the shocking end of an era. Pic aired of PWHC Greg Valentine with the caption: NEXT... HAMMERED!!! Commercials Commercial aired for the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship Tournament video tape. Tape was advertised as two hours of highlights, complete matches and some interviews from the historic event. An 800 number and a mailing address were listed on the screen. Cost of the video: $39.95 + S/H NON-TITLE: Greg Valentine (PWHC) won a squash match over Jose Luis-Rivera in quick fashion via submission with his figure four finisher. - 2:25 Valentine made his way down the heel aisle to strong boos. POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: Bischoff: Greg Valentine, that was some angry wrestling! You've got Don Muraco hot on your trail! Valentine: I am not in a talking mood, Nelson! The other day, I had the cook at Denny's tell me that Don Muraco is gonna take the title from me! A cook! A guy with grease stains all over his gross, dirty, unwashed clothes making $5 bucks an hour slingin' hash! His opinion means nothing to me and he needs to keep his thoughts to himself! He's not the champ and doesn't even deserve to speak to a man of my stature! Crowd booed. Valentine: You people who think Muraco's gonna take this belt off of me are in for a rude awakening! It...will...not...happen! I worked too hard to win this title and I'll be damned if I'm gonna give you people the satisfaction of seeing me lose it to that beach bum! That's all I gotta say! Valentine left the ring to mainly boos but also some cheers and headed back up the heel aisle. Video aired of Wahoo defeating Cactus Jack to win the AWA World Title at WrestleRock with the caption: NEXT... DREAM COME TRUE!!! Commercials In-Studio: Nelson intro'd video from the Jack-Wahoo World Title tilt at WrestleRock. VIDEO: # Jack dropped back to the floor, backed up and charged in on Wahoo but Wahoo moved and Jack slammed flush into the post as the fans cheered. Jack turned and walked right into a hip toss on the concrete from Wahoo. Wahoo grabbed Jack and threw him back into the ring. Jack on his knees as Wahoo moved in and Jack headbutted the challenger in the groin. Wahoo staggered back and fell against the ropes. Jack moved in and caught Wahoo with some punches and pulled Wahoo away from the ropes and bodyslammed the Chief. Jack went for a running elbow smash but Wahoo rolled out of the way and Jack crashed to the mat. Crowd cheered. Jack up facing away from Wahoo and Wahoo rolled Jack up from behind for the pin. 1...2... Jack kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Jack went to punch Wahoo but Wahoo blocked the punch try and Jack nailed Jack with a punch of his own and then hit Jack with a piledriver. Crowd popped. Wahoo for the cover. 1...2...three... NO! Jack got his foot on the bottom rope. Ref patted Wahoo on the back. Wahoo got up thinking he'd won the belt. Ref had to inform Wahoo he did not. Cactus made it to his feet. Wahoo turned and walked right into a running swinging neckbreaker. Jack's fans cheered. Jack covered Wahoo for the pin. 1...2...three.. NO! Wahoo kicked out. Majority of the crowd cheered. Both men down. Ref started the 10-count. Both men stirred as the count grew. Both men up and Jack caught Wahoo with headbutt that sent Wahoo crashing back to the mat. Jack grabbed Wahoo's legs and flipped over on top of Wahoo for the cover. 1...2...thr... Wahoo bridged up and caught Jack in a backslide for the pinfall. 1...2...3... NO! Jack barely kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Wahoo swung at Jack and missed and Jack kicked Wahoo in the gut and this time hit Wahoo with his stump-puller piledriver. Jack for the cover. 1...2...3... NO! Wahoo got a shoulder up. Crowd cheered. Jack pulled Wahoo up and went to whip Wahoo into the corner but Wahoo reversed and the force of the whip sent Jack's head crashing into the steel ring bolt that connects the ring post to the turnbuckle. Jack staggered backwards and crashed to his back in the ring. Wahoo quickly shook out the effects of the piledriver and covered Jack and hooked the leg. 1...2...thr... Jack managed to kick out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Jack punched Wahoo and threw Wahoo front-first into the buckles. Wahoo slammed into them and turned around and walked right into a bodyslam from Jack. Jack mounted the middle buckle and came off with a second rope leg drop but Wahoo rolled out of the way and Jack crashed to the mat as the fans cheered. Jack to his feet and Wahoo to a knee and Jack went to kick Wahoo in the head but Wahoo caught Jack's foot and Jack was caught as Wahoo rose to his feet. Wahoo held the leg and peppered Jack with blistering chest chops, let go of the leg, grabbed Jack by the hair and nailed Jack with a tomahawk chop. Crowd into it. Wahoo whipped Jack into the ropes and caught Jack coming off with his big chop finisher. Jack crashed to the mat. Wahoo for the cover and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as the fans erupted. Wahoo got to his feet and was elated. Ref went over and talked to Larry Nelson and took the belt. Ref handed Wahoo the title and raised Wahoo's hand in victory to more cheers. In-Studio: Nelson intro'd the post-match interview with Wahoo ion the locker room where Wahoo gets an unwelcome surprise guest. VIDEO: Video opened with a shot of Wahoo with the belt slung over his shoulder and Bischoff in a suit and tie with mic in hand. Eric: This is Eric Bischoff at WrestleRock coming to you from the victorious locker room of the NEW AWA World Champion Wahoo McDaniel! Chief, how are you feeling right now?! Wahoo: Eric, things are just now really starting to sink in for me! I'm a little bit numb right now! This is unvbelievable! With as long as I've been in this sport, I knew this was realistically my last chance to win the World Championship! Eric: Does it feel like a dream? Wahoo: It does. But it's reality. And after tonight, I'll be on the road defending this championship. Eric: What's your opinion of the wrestler you defeated for the title, Cactus Jack? Wahoo: People can think what they want. But, Cactus Jack is one tough individual.We may not like each other. But I respect him as a competitor. He's a very different wrestler. He's something the sport has never seen before so he's hard to read in the ring. But, I was able to complete the task and defeat him and become the new World Champion. Greg Gagne and Ken Patera walked into the picture and sprayed Wahoo with champagne. Both men congratulated Wahoo and hugged him. Eric: Whoa! Looks like the celebration is really starting to kick in! Wahoo: I will never forget this day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Eric! It's been won... Jake Milliman walked into the picture. Eric: What's this?! Jake poured a bottle of 2% white milk over Wahoo's head. Jake: The 'Milkman' delivers! Congratulations, Wahoo! Make us proud as World Champion! Wahoo laughed and hugged Milliman. Milliman walked out of the picture and the Top Guns and Brad Rheingans came into the frame and congratulated Wahoo. A little more champagne from Rheingans. Eric: I'm sensing it's gonna be quite a party tonight, Chief?! Wahoo: It will be, Eric! And you're invited! Eric: I am there, Chief! Congratulations once again on becoming the new... The locker room door suddenly slammed open and things suddenly got quiet. It was Greg Valentine. He had the PWHC belt slung over his shoulder. Eric: Wait a minute! Greg... Greg got in Wahoo's face. Valentine: Congratulations on winning the World Championship, Wahoo! Now, it's time to start to defending that title! And this belt, the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship, automatically makes me the number one contender for pro wrestling's biggest prize! And who did I beat to win this belt in the finals of the tournament?! I beat you, Wahoo! I put you down for the count! Enjoy tonight, Wahoo! Have fun until it hurts! Because starting tomorrow, you're gonna have me looking right over your shoulder! Get ready, Wahoo! I'm coming for that World Title! And I won't rest until I win it! Valentine stormed out of the face locker room as everyone looked on. Eric: Chief, anything to say about that? Wahoo: Since Greg Valentine is the Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion, that does make him an automatic contender for the World Title. Valentine and me have an interesting history that goes back a few years. And now our paths will cross again. Greg Valentine. Sign the contract, step into the ring and I'm more than ready and willing to put big silver on the line against you. Eric: He is the new World Champion Chief Wahoo McDaniel! END VIDEO Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... THE MAIN EVENT!!! Commercials TV MAIN EVENT: Jonnie Stewart vs. Jerry Blackwell Blackwell came down the face aisle to a pretty good response from the crowd. Stewart came down the heel aisle to strong boos. Ref called for the bell. The two men circled one another and Stewart and Blackwell locked hands and engaged in a test of strength. After a brief struggle for the advantage, Blackwell drove Stewart to his knees and Stewart's hands to the mat. Blackwell stomped on Stewart's hands. Stewart popped up grabbing his hands as the crowd cheered. Stewart quickly backed into the corner grabbing his mitts. Blackwell moved in and Stewart stuck his upper body out through the top and middle rope. Ref ordered Blackwell to stand back and Blackwell did. Stewart stunned Blackwell with a kick to the gut and started pounding away on Blackwell. Stewart whipped Blackwell into the buckles and charged in and hit Blackwell with a running back elbow smash to the chest. Stewart hit Blackwell with a European uppercut and then went to whip Blackwell into the opposite buckles but Blackwell reversed. Blackwell charged in on Stewart but Stewart moved and Blackwell stopped. Stewart and turned and pointed to his head like he was really smart for avoiding the avalanche. Stewart turned and Blackwell popped Stewart with a headbutt. Stewart crashed to the mat. Crowd popped. Blackwell started to pull Stewart up but Stewart got his leg out over the middle rope and forced a break. Stewart climbed out on the apron. Ref ordered Blackwell to stand back. Stewart slowly climbed back in the ring and charged over at Blackwell and Blackwell caught Stewart in a bearhug. Stewart in agony as Blackwell cinched up on the hold. Stewart fighting to not give in. Stewart then raked Blackwell's eyes and escaped the hold. Stewart clubbed Blackwell across the back and then slammed Blackwell's head into the top buckle. Stewart repeated the move. Stewart went to do it again but Blackwell grabbed the top rope with both hands and resisted. Stewart tried again with the same result. Blackwell then caught Stewart with a couple of elbows to the side of the ribs and freed himself from Stewart's grasp. Blackwell then grabbed Stewart and then repeatedly slammed Stewart's head into the top buckle as the crowd counted along. Stewart staggered out of the corner, dropped to his knees and then on his face in the ring. Stewart made it to his feet and Blackwell nailed Stewart with a standing dropkick. Stewart down again. Reynolds: Blackwell has amazing agility for a man his size. Crockett: He does, Jack! He does! Blackwell snapped up Stewart and bodyslammed Stewart and then Blackwell went for an elbow smash but Stewart rolled out of the way and Blackwell crashed to the mat. Both men down. Ref counting. Stewart up as Blackwell got to a knee and Stewart blistered Blackwell with a series of head shots. Stewart snapped Blackwell up for a bodyslam but Blackwell shifted his weight and Stewart crashed to the mat with Blackwell on top of him. Blackwell for the pin. 1...2...3! No! Stewart got his foot on the bottom rope. Ref ordered a break. Stewart rolled out of the ring and crashed to the floor. Crowd cheered. Ref ordered Blackwell to stand back. Ref started the 10-count. Stewart to his feet next to the ring apron. Blackwell came over to grab Stewart but the ref intercepted him. Stewart reached in the ring and grabbed Blackwell's leg. Blackwell wobbled and crashed on his back next to the ropes. Stewart climbed up on the apron and dived between the top and middle rope onto Blackwell with his feet on the middle rope for leverage. Ref counted the pin. 1...2...thr... Ref looked up and saw Stewart's feet on the ropes and ordered a break. Stewart up and stomped away on Blackwell. Stewart snapped Blackwell up and went to whip Blackwell into the buckles but Blackwell reversed and sent Stewart crashing into them. Blackwell charged in and nailed Stewart with an avalanche. Stewart staggered out of the corner, spun around and crashed to his back on the mat. Blackwell backed into the ropes and came off with his diving splash finisher but Stewart rolled out of the way and Blackwell crashed to the mat. Blackwell rolled over on his back and Stewart hit Blackwell with a rapid-fire series of elbows to the chest and maneuvered Blackwell into position. Stewart went out on the ring apron and mounted the top rope in the corner and came off with his flying elbow smash to the chest finisher. Stewart hooked the leg for the pin. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as most of the fans booed. Stewart slowly to his feet and the ref raised his hand in victory as the program ended. WINNER: Stewart - PInfall - 6:41 END PROGRAM BOB BACKLUND DEFENDS THE WWF TITLE AGAINST THE SARGE IN A CAGE (Backlund was a solid worker who was weak, but very real, on promos.):

Does Togg even post anymore?

AWA WRESTLING ON ESPN - SHOWBOAT SPORTS PAVILION - LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 1990 Announcers: Joe Pedicino & Bill Dundee Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Larry Nelson (# Aired on a previous AWA program.) (1st Taping) Show Intro Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program: Nelson said we had a new World Champion! Wahoo defeated Cactus to win the belt at WrestleRock! Said that Sgt. Slaughter is gone from the AWA as he was defeated by Col. DeBeers in the loser leaves the AWA match at WrestleRock Said the new era AWA takes another step with new announcers for AWA on ESPN! Highlights and interviews from WrestleRock TV MAIN EVENT: Cactus Jack vs. Ricky Rice of the Top Guns Scott Norton & Billy Jack Haynes make their official AWA debut Tina Moretti makes her AWA on ESPN debut Plus! Reveals of the new AWA Prez and newest AWA wrestler Nelson sent it to the ring in Las Vegas. New announcers Joe Pedicino and Bill Dundee introduced themselves as the new announcers for AWA on ESPN. Pedicino worked as the face straight man to Dundee's heel routine. Jonnie Stewart won a squash match over Jerry Allen via pinfall with his flying elbow smash from the top rope Stewart came to the ring down the heel aisle to pretty strong boos. Dundee: I really like this Stewart fellow, mate! He seems like he's gonna be a true superstar in this sport! And he doesn't care what the fans think of him! That makes him A-OK in my book! Every time he steps in the ring he gives the fans the proverbial bird! Gotta love it! In-Studio: Nelson said Pedicino and Dundee seem like they're gonna make an interesting pair in the broadcast booth. Video aired of footage from WrestleRock with the caption: NEXT... HIGHLIGHTS!!! Commercials In-Studio: Nelson intro'd highlights from WrestleRock. 3-minute video aired of all the matches to the song The Fight by Giorgio Morder. In-Studio: Nelson said it was a great day at WrestleRock. Nelson then intro'd the video of the reveal of the new President of the promotion. VIDEO: # Nelson: With me right now is AWA President Stanley Blackburn. Stanley, we hear you have some news for us. Blackburn: Thank you, Larry. It's great to be here in the great state of South Dakota. More cheers. Blackburn: This is my last official day as President of the American Wrestling Association. But, I want the fans to know that we have a new President coming in who will assume his role tomorrow. He is an AWA legend. Would you please welcome the 4-time AWA World Champion and new AWA President... Nick Bockwinkel. Crowd pooped as Bockwinkel made his way down the face aisle to the ring. He was in a suit and tie. Nick stepped in the ring and waved to the crowd and then shook hands with outgoing President Blackburn. Nelson: Welcome, President Bockwinkel! Nick: Thank you. First, President Blackburn, you and I have had, to put it mildly, an interesting relationship with each other over the years. Blackburn (laughed): That's true. Nick: But, we earned each other's respect over time. You have been a fine president, sir. And I want to thank you for your service to the AWA. Polite applause. Nick: I just want to let the people know that I'm excited about the opportunity to be the president of the wrestling promotion that I've always called home. It's an honor to serve in this capacity. I had a wonderful career here. And, while you fans didn't always like me very much, when you embraced me, you did so with open arms. We earned each other's respect. Polite cheering. END VIDEO Pic aired of Scott Norton & Billy Jack Haynes with the caption: NEXT... TAG TEAM THREAT???!!! Commercials/AWA Tour Update Billy Jack Haynes & Scott Norton won a squash match over Gary Young & Sweet Daddy Falcone when Norton pinned Young with a lariat Haynes and Norton got a decent crowd response coming down the face aisle. Announcers said the part was now in the AWA full-time from the Pacific Northwest. In-Studio: Nelson said that Haynes and Norton were now regulars in the AWA. Nelson then intro'd video from WrestleRock of the newest arrival in AWA. # Nelson: As you know, it's a new era here in the AWA! Things are indeed changing here! And they're gonna change even more with my next guest! Would you please welcome the newest addition to the AWA... the 'Russian Nightmare' Nikita Koloff! Crowd popped and the roar got louder as Koloff made his way down the face aisle to the ring. He was dressed in a suit and tie. Koloff climbed in the ring and acknowledged the fans. His head was shaven once again. Nelson: Nikita, listen to this fantastic crowd response for you! More cheers. Koloff: It is great to be here in the American Wrestling Association, Larry Nelson. You have new blood running the promotion. And the AWA promises to be more exciting moving forward. Nelson: A lot of fans remember you as a Communist and America hater, for lack of a better term. And then a few years ago, you changed. Koloff: I did change. It wasn't overnight. I had grown up, how you say, deluged, with anti-Americanism in Mother Russia. Over time, living here a few years, I came to appreciate America. It is the greatest country on earth. Loud cheer from the fans. Koloff: I am proud to now call my home the United States. The people have been very, very good to me here. Even in the days when I was an America hater and Russian, how you say, supremacist. America is light. Soviet Communism is darkness. God bless America. More cheers and chants of USA! USA! Koloff: And I want to say something about somebody here in AWA. Nelson: Go ahead. Koloff: The great thing about America is you have, how you say, the freedom of the speech. Nelson: Our most important freedom. Fans cheered. Koloff: Col. DeBeers just beat Sgt. Salughter in a loser leaves town match. Col. DeBeers, I have somethingn to say to you. You hate this country like I did. You, how you say, despise the good American people and how they live. You praise South Africa. I hope that you will one day see the light, Colonel, and embrace a country that has been good to you even though you have not been good to it. Fans cheered. Koloff: But, if you don't want to change and, how you say, embrace American freedom and America, you should pack up and go home. Loud pop from the crowd. Nelson: Definitely words that Col. Debeers needs to hear. Nikita Koloff, everybody! He's here and the new era of the AWA rolls on! Video aired of the Sarge-DeBeers WrestleRock match with the caption: NEXT... SARGE IS GONE!!! Commercials Commercial aired for the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship Tournament video tape. Tape was advertised as two hours of highlights, complete matches and some interviews from the historic event. An 800 number and a mailing address were listed on the screen. Cost of the video: $39.95 + S/H In-Studio: Nelson intro'd footage from the brutal, violent brawl between Sgt. Slaughter and Col. DeBeers from WrestleRock where the loser had to leave the AWA. PLUS! Post-match comments from DeBeers follow. VIDEO: DeBeers climbed out on the apron and mounted the top rope. Sarge to his feet and DeBeers came off in an attempt to hit Sarge with helmeted headbutt from the top rope but Sarge caught DeBeers with a kick to the gut. DeBeers grabbed his gut and staggered around and walked right into a series of punches from Sarge followed by a gut drop across the knee. DeBeers lost the helmet. Sarge stomped DeBerers in the head, went over and picked up the Army helmet and put it on. Crowd buzzing. Sarge assumed the 3-point stance. DeBeers up and Sarge charged in and blasted DeBeers in the chest with the top of his helmet-laden head. Crowd exploded. DeBeers crashed back to the mat. Sarge tossed the helmet and backed up as the crowd rose to its feet. DeBeers slowly up and Sarge charged in a popped DeBeers with his... Crockett: CANNON! CANNON! CANNON! DeBeers down. Sarge covered DeBeers and hooked the leg. Crowd counted along. 1...2...3... NO! DeBeers got a shoulder up. Loud crowd groan. Sarge reached down to snap up DeBeers and DeBeers nailed Sarge with a low-blow. Sarge crashed to the mat holding his goods. Crowd heat intense. Both men down. Ref checked on both men but could do no more. Both men slowly to their feet and DeBeers nailed Sarge with an open-hand throat-thrust that stunned Sarge. Sarge fell against the ropes holding his throat. DeBeers moved to the corner and untied the top turnbuckle exposing the steel underneath. DeBeers punched Sarge and went to whip Sarge into the exposed turnbuckle steel but Sarge reversed and sent DeBeers crashing back-first into it. Crowd popped. Sarge quickly regained his bearings and charged in on DeBeers but DeBeers moved and Sarge slammed chest-first into the exposed steel. Sarge slowly turned and was grabbing his chest and DeBeers caught Sarge with a kick to the chest. DeBeers then hoisted Sarge up and blasted Sarge with a face-first piledriver. DeBeers turned Sarge over for the pin. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as most of the crowd booed loudly but DeBeers also had his core of fans. DeBeers to his feet and the ref ref raised his hand in victory as some trash pelted the ring. DeBeers looked out at the crowd which only made them madder. DeBeers left the ring and threw his fists defiantly in the air to more garbage as he headed back up the heel aisle. Nelson: Col. DeBeers is your winner! Sgt. Slaughter must leave the AWA! END VIDEO Pic flipped and DeBeers was standing in his locker room with mic in hand, still fresh from the violent affair. DeBeers had a white towel draped around his neck. DeBeers: Sgt. Slaughter... DeBeers used the towel to dab off some some of the blood-encrusted sweat from his face. DeBeers: Sgt. Slaughter. Your time in the AWA is finished. Your run here as the big star of the promotion is over. A two-time AWA World Champion. And now it's all crumbled to dust. You're now nothing but a memory in the AWA. The match was violent. The match was bloody. The match was one of no mercy because there was no mercy was to be had in the first place. One of us was leaving the AWA today. And in the end, I was the winner. I will go down in the record books as the man who vanquished, you idiotic, decadent Americans might need to look that word up, Sgt. Slaughter. I may be the most despised wrestler in the world today because of my brave stance in defense of the great nation of apartheid South Africa. I am a man that speaks the truth on many issues. And that's why you Americans hate me with a violent passion. Americans don't like truth. And now, Sgt. Slaughter is gone. Kaput. But, you still have me: Col. DeBeers. Every time you see me, whether in the ring, on TV or just out in public somewhere, you'll always think of me as the man who demolished America's Hero. I tore the heart out of America, But, let's not kid ourselves; America has no real heart like the white people of South Africa. Heartlessness is an American virtue. Sgt. Slaughter is gone from the AWA. And I, Col. DeBeers, am the man who is left standing tall. END VIDEO Pic aired of Tina Moretti with the caption: NEXT... NEW BLOOD!!! Commercials Ad aired for the AWA PPV Super Clash 5 - Sunday - Sept. 16 - Mecca Arena - Milwaukee, WI - Bell time: 8pm E/5pm P. Tickets on sale Saturday - June 16 at 10am CST! Tina Moretti def. Kay Noble via pinfall with her Samoan Piledriver finisher (Is that cultural appropriation?) Moretti got a nice ovation coming down the face aisle as fans remembered her from her GLOW and POWW days. Moretti slapped hands with fans on the way to the ring. In-Studio: Nelson said Moretti and 'Big' Reggie Bennett are new additions to the AWA roster and the women's division is getting stronger. Video aired of Wahoo defeating Cactus to win the World Title with the caption: NEXT... FINALLY!!! Commercials In-Studio: Nelson intro'd video from the Jack-Wahoo World Title tilt at WrestleRock. VIDEO: # Jack dropped back to the floor, backed up and charged in on Wahoo but Wahoo moved and Jack slammed flush into the post as the fans cheered. Jack turned and walked right into a hip toss on the concrete from Wahoo. Wahoo grabbed Jack and threw him back into the ring. Jack on his knees as Wahoo moved in and Jack headbutted the challenger in the groin. Wahoo staggered back and fell against the ropes. Jack moved in and caught Wahoo with some punches and pulled Wahoo away from the ropes and bodyslammed the Chief. Jack went for a running elbow smash but Wahoo rolled out of the way and Jack crashed to the mat. Crowd cheered. Jack up facing away from Wahoo and Wahoo rolled Jack up from behind for the pin. 1...2... Jack kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Jack went to punch Wahoo but Wahoo blocked the punch try and Jack nailed Jack with a punch of his own and then hit Jack with a piledriver. Crowd popped. Wahoo for the cover. 1...2...three... NO! Jack got his foot on the bottom rope. Ref patted Wahoo on the back. Wahoo got up thinking he'd won the belt. Ref had to inform Wahoo he did not. Cactus made it to his feet. Wahoo turned and walked right into a running swinging neckbreaker. Jack's fans cheered. Jack covered Wahoo for the pin. 1...2...three.. NO! Wahoo kicked out. Majority of the crowd cheered. Both men down. Ref started the 10-count. Both men stirred as the count grew. Both men up and Jack caught Wahoo with headbutt that sent Wahoo crashing back to the mat. Jack grabbed Wahoo's legs and flipped over on top of Wahoo for the cover. 1...2...thr... Wahoo bridged up and caught Jack in a backslide for the pinfall. 1...2...3... NO! Jack barely kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Wahoo swung at Jack and missed and Jack kicked Wahoo in the gut and this time hit Wahoo with his stump-puller piledriver. Jack for the cover. 1...2...3... NO! Wahoo got a shoulder up. Crowd cheered. Jack pulled Wahoo up and went to whip Wahoo into the corner but Wahoo reversed and the force of the whip sent Jack's head crashing into the steel ring bolt that connects the ring post to the turnbuckle. Jack staggered backwards and crashed to his back in the ring. Wahoo quickly shook out the effects of the piledriver and covered Jack and hooked the leg. 1...2...thr... Jack managed to kick out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Jack punched Wahoo and threw Wahoo front-first into the buckles. Wahoo slammed into them and turned around and walked right into a bodyslam from Jack. Jack mounted the middle buckle and came off with a second rope leg drop but Wahoo rolled out of the way and Jack crashed to the mat as the fans cheered. Jack to his feet and Wahoo to a knee and Jack went to kick Wahoo in the head but Wahoo caught Jack's foot and Jack was caught as Wahoo rose to his feet. Wahoo held the leg and peppered Jack with blistering chest chops, let go of the leg, grabbed Jack by the hair and nailed Jack with a tomahawk chop. Crowd into it. Wahoo whipped Jack into the ropes and caught Jack coming off witt his big chop finisher. Jack crashed to the mat. Wahoo for the cover and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as the fans erupted. Wahoo got to his feet and was elated. Ref went over and talked to Larry Nelson and took the belt. Ref handed Wahoo the title and raised Wahoo's hand in victory to more cheers. In-Studio: Nelson intro'd the post-match interview with Wahoo in the locker room where Wahoo gets an unwelcome surprise guest. VIDEO: Video opened with a shot of Wahoo with the belt slung over his shoulder and Bischoff in a suit and tie with mic in hand. Eric: This is Eric Bischoff at WrestleRock coming to you from the victorious locker room of the NEW AWA World Champion Wahoo McDaniel! Chief, how are you feeling right now?! Wahoo: Eric, things are just now really starting to sink in for me! I'm a little bit numb right now! This is unvbelievable! With as long as I've been in this sport, I knew this was realistically my last chance to win the World Championship! Eric: Does it feel like a dream? Wahoo: It does. But it's reality. And after tonight, I'll be on the road defending this championship. Eric: What's your opinion of the wrestler you defeated for the title, Cactus Jack? Wahoo: People can think what they want. But, Cactus Jack is one tough individual.We may not like each other. But I respect him as a competitor. He's a very different wrestler. He's something the sport has never seen before so he's hard to read in the ring. But, I was able to complete the task and defeat him and become the new World Champion. Greg Gagne and Ken Patera walked into the picture and sprayed Wahoo with champagne. Both men congratulated Wahoo and hugged him. Eric: Whoa! Looks like the celebration is really starting to kick in! Wahoo: I will never forget this day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Eric! It's been won... Jake Milliman walked into the picture. Eric: What's this?! Jake poured a bottle of 2% white milk over Wahoo's head. Jake: The 'Milkman' delivers! Congratulations, Wahoo! Make us proud as World Champion! Wahoo laughed and hugged Milliman. Milliman walked out of the picture and the Top Guns and Brad Rheingans came into the frame and congratulated Wahoo. A little more champagne from Rheingans. Eric: I'm sensing it's gonna be quite a party tonight, Chief?! Wahoo: It will be, Eric! And you're invited! Eric: I am there, Chief! Congratulations once again on becoming the new... The locker room door suddenly slammed open and things suddenly got quiet. It was Greg Valentine. He had the PWHC belt slung over his shoulder. Eric: Wait a minute! Greg... Greg got in Wahoo's face. Valentine: Congratulations on winning the World Championship, Wahoo! Now, it's time to start to defending that title! And this belt, the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship, automatically makes me the number one contender for pro wrestling's biggest prize! And who did I beat to win this belt in the finals of the tournament?! I beat you, Wahoo! I put you down for the count! Enjoy tonight, Wahoo! Have fun until it hurts! Because starting tomorrow, you're gonna have me looking right over your shoulder! Get ready, Wahoo! I'm coming for that World Title! And I won't rest until I win it! Valentine stormed out of the face locker room as everyone looked on. Eric: Chief, anything to say about that? Wahoo: Since Greg Valentine is the Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion, that does make him an automatic contender for the World Title. Valentine and me have an interesting history that goes back a few years. And now our paths will cross again. Greg Valentine. Sign the contract, step into the ring and I'm more than ready and willing to put big silver on the line against you. Eric: He is the new World Champion Chief Wahoo McDaniel! END VIDEO Pic aired of Cactus Jack with the caption: NEXT... PRICKLY CACTUS!!! Commercials TV MAIN EVENT: Cactus Jack vs. Ricky Rice Announcers said word was Jack was still angry about losing the World Title. Rice came to the ring first down the face aisle to Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins. Once in the ring, Rice briefly saluted the crowd. Former World Champion Jack came running down the heel aisle to boos but also a growing chorus of cheers. Jack hit the ring and attacked Rice and immediately started pounding on him. Ref called for the bell. Jack beat up on Rice and eventually drove Rice out of the ring with his running clothesline that sent both men hurtling over the top rope and crashing to the floor. Jack bodyslammed Rice on the floor and climbed up on the apron and came off with his running elbow from the apron to the floor that connected. Jack dominated the first five minutes of the match. Dundee: Jack is taking out his anger at losing the World Championship on Ricky Rice and it's justified. Pedicino: Justified?! Are you kidding me?! Dundee: He's got to take his anger out on somebody and poor Mr. Rice here was the victim who signed the contract to face him! Rice fought his way back into the match and almost stunned Jack with a flying crossbody for the pin. Rice was a whirlwind of offense for a bit before he made the mistake of trying to reapy Jack with a running clothesline aginst the ropes but Jack instead dropped down, pulled down the top rope and Rice flew over and crashed to the floor. Jack regained control of the match, worked Rice over and finished Rice off with his double underhook DDT finisher to score the 1...2...3! Jack up and the ref raised his hand in victory. Jack stomped around the ring to some boos and growing cheers before leaving and heading back up the heel aisle as the program ended. WINNER; Jack - Pinfall - 7:28 END PROGRAM

She had a natural beauty. Sometimes, these women go under the knife and co-me out less attractive. See her pics in the ESPN Body issue a few years ago?

Might have posted these once before... As you watch these WWWF house show promos from 1981 you'll notice something. The promos are very raw. They're rough around the edges. Guys occasionally mangle a word. In other words, these promos come across as very real. The words were the wrestlers. I don't believe today's totally scrip[ted promos can compare to the promos of the past. It's hard for something to feel natural when you're always trying to remember your lines and everything comes across as slickly produced. Enjoy the next few minutes...

Off-topic question,,, The other night I watched a few minutes of Smackdown (I don't watch much wrestling anymore.) I noticed it looked like Chaarlotte Flair has had major work done to her face, Whether she has or not, she looks rather garish now IMO. You feel the same way?

NWA World Women's Tag Team Title Tournament First Round - East Division bracket Ethel Johnson & Marva Scott vs. Georgia Hase & Michèle Richard Renée Martel & Claire Lepage vs. Ella Waldek & Terry Majors Non-tournament matches: Colleen Murrell vs. Paula Steele Jane Sherill & Patty O'Hara vs. Irma Acevedo & Panama Franco NWA World Women's Lightweight Championship Kim Blanchard (C) vs. Gwen Miller AGWA Interstate Championship Mary Jane Mull (C) vs. Ashley Sinclair NWA North American Women's Championship Ann Calvello (C) vs. Patty Stevens

Picks: Mike Graham, Curt Hennig, Axis Powers, Hogan

AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING SYNDICATED SHOW - HAMMOND CIVIC CENTER - HAMMOND, IN - MAY 1990 ANNOUNCERS: Lee Marshall & Lord James Blears Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Larry Nelson (# Aired on a previous AWA program.) (Show was taped before WrestleRock.) (4th Taping) SHOW INTRO In-Studio: Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program: Said WrestleRock was a great event and that they would show highlights and interviews from the event next week. TV MAIN EVENT: Col. DeBeers vs. Ken Patera Jake Milliman & Greg Gagne vs. Akio Sato & Ninja Go DEBUT MATCH: Tina Moretti vs. Candi Divine Tommy Rich vs. Sam Houston (w/ Coach Murdoch) And more! Nelson sent it to the ring for a title match in Hammond! PWHC TITLE MATCH: Greg Valentine (PWHC) vs. Tommy Jammer Jammer came down the face aisle to the ring to a modest ovation. We Are The Champions by Queen filled the arena as Tommy made his way to the ring. Valentine came down the heel aisle to mainly boos but also had his fans. In the ring, Valentine removed the belt from around his waist and held it up to more boos before handing it off to the ref. Valentine came to the ring to the strains of The Fight by Giorgio Moroder. Announcers wondered if Jammer could do the unthinkable. Jammer started the match on fire and was able to hit the champ with his Jammer slam (whip opponent into the buckles, opponent bounces out of the corner into a powerslam) and went to pin Valentine. 1...2...thr... Valentine kicked out. Not long after this, Valentine took control of the match, worked over Jammer's left knee area and caught Jammer in the figure four. Jammer quickly submitted. Ref called for the bell and Valentine kept the hold locked on. Ref ordering Valentine to let go but Valentine not listening. Crowd popped as Don Muraco* charged down the face aisle and hit the ring. Announcers pointed out that Muraco had recently beaten Valentine in a non-title match on TV. Valentine quickly released the hold on Jammer and got up and started fighting with Muraco. Valentine gained the upper hand on Muraco and went to whip Muraco into the ropes but Muraco reversed and caught Valentine coming off with a press slam. Valentine up and walked right into a fireman's carry from Muraco followed by a Samoan Drop. Crowd erupted. Valentine rolled out of the ring and crashed to the floor to more cheering. Muraco stood tall in the ring as Valentine stumbled over, grabbed his belt from Larry Nelson and made a hasty retreat up the heel aisle. WINNER: Valentine - Submission - 3:17 (* Recorded before the Muraco-Kaissey angle at WrestleRocxk.) Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... TAG TEAM ACTION! Commercials Greg Gagne & Jake Milliman vs. Akio Sato & Ninja Go Sato and Go came to the ring to a fair amount of boos down the heel aisle. Gagne & Milliman came down the face aisle to a solid ovation. Once in the ring, Milliman tore off his '2% Forever' t-shirt and threw it into the crowd. The Japanese team gave Milliman and Gagne fits and came close to scoring the victory. End of the match saw Milliman and Ninja Go the legal men in the ring. Go was on the offensive and hit Milliman with a spin kick to the chest. Milliman down. Go bodyslammed Milliman and went out on the apron and mounted the top buckle. Go for a flying body press but Jake rolled out of the way and Go slammed to the mat as the fans cheered. Jake up and grabbed Go, whipped Go into the ropes and caught Go coming off with a powerslam. Jake briefly cupped his hand to his ear to get the fans revved up. Jake ran and hit the ropes and came off with his (Pasteurizer) flying leg drop finisher that connected. Jake for the cover and hooked the leg. 1... Sato climbed in the ring to break up the count. ...2... Gagne hit the ring and caught Sato with a dropkick that dropped Sato. ...3! Ref called for the bell as the crowd popped. Miliman up and the ref raised both men's hands in victory. WINNER: Gagne & Jake - Pinfall - 6:38 Pic aired of Sam Houston and Tommy Rich with the caption: NEXT... SAM VS. TOMMY!!! Commercials/Market-specific promos for house show cities/Generic promos for non-house show cities Commercial aired for the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship Tournament video tape. Tape was advertised as two hours of highlights, complete matches and some interviews from the historic event. An 800 number and a mailing address were listed on the screen. Cost of the video: $39.95 + S/H Tommy Rich vs. Sam Houston (w/ Coach Murdoch) Houston and Murdoch came down the face aisle to a good reaction. Once in the ring, Sam briefly played to the crowd. Rich came down the heel aisle to pretty strong boos. The two engaged in a back-and-forth affair. Both men had pin tries but could not put the other away. End of the match saw Sam on the offensive. Sam drove Rich into the corner and Sam popped Rich with punches and then looked to nail Rich with his running bulldog finisher but Rich shoved Sam off and Sam slammed to the mat. Both men up and Rich dropped Sam with a bionic elbow to the top of the head and then locked Sam up in the spinning toe hold. Rich was really working the hold when Sam reached up and caught Rich in a small package for the pin. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as the crowd popped. Sam up and the ref raised his hand in victory as Murdoch stepped in and congratulated Sam. WINNER: Houston - Pinfall - 5:41 In-Studio: Nelson hyped WrestleRock highlights and interviews on next week's program. Pic aired of Tina Moretti with the caption: NEXT... AWA DEBUT!!! Commercials AWA DEBUT: Tina Moretti vs. Candi Divine Divine came down the heel aisle to a mixed crowd reax (she's a 'tweener'.) Moretti came down the face aisle to a pretty good reaction because people recognized her from Vegas GLOW tapings. Divine was in control early before Moretti fought her way back into the match and it became a back-and-forth affair. End of the match saw Moretti on the offensive. Moretti worked Divine over and whipped Divine into the the buckles. Moretti charged in and Divine got her feet up and caught Moretii in the chest. Moretti turned and staggered away and Divine dropkicked Moretti in the back and Moretti crashed to the mat. Divine stomped on Moretti, snapped Moretti up and hit Moretti with a snap suplex. Divine for the cover. 1...2... Moretti kicked out. Fans cheered. Divine up and Moretti getting up and Divine caught Moretti with a knee lift to the chest. Moretti snapped back and fell against the ropes. Divine grabbed Moretti and went to whip Moretti into the ropes but Moretti reversed and caught Divine coming off with a flying crossbody that flattened Divine. Moretti up and grabbed Divine, hoisted Divine across her shoulders and nailed Divine with a Samoan piledriver. Moretti for the cover and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Moretti leaped to her feet and the ref raised her hand in victory to a nice crowd response. Moretti left the ring and slaped hands with fans at ringside before heading back up the face aisle. WINNER: Moretti - 5:14 Split-screen pic aired of DeBeers and Patera with the caption: NEXT... THE MAIN EVENT!!! Commercials/Market-specific promos for hoiuse show citites/Generic promos for non-house show cities TV MAIN EVENT: Col. Debeers vs. Ken Patera An uninvited Valerie joined Lee Marshall and Lord James at the announcers' table for the match. Patera came down the face aisle to a very good ovation. DeBeers made his way down the heel aisle to overwhelming boos but also had his core of fans. Before the match, Patera took the ring mic from Larry Nelson and looked right at Valerie. Ken: Valerie. Why do you keep coming out during my matches? I'll say it again. I'm not signing with you and joining your stable! Never gonna happen! Match started out as a feeling out process before DeBeers gained the upper hand early but Patera quickly turned the tables on him. Some near falls during the match and DeBeers also escaped Patera's swinging full nelson finisher by getting his leg out over the middle rope to force a break before Patera could start the swinging part. DeBeers took some shortcuts during the match to gain the advantage. End of the match saw the two men slugging it out in a back-and-forth battle. DeBeers gained the advantage and whipped Patera into the corner. DeBeers moved in and Patera charged out and flattened DeBeers with a big running clothesline. Crowd popped. Patera snapped DeBeers up and nailed DeBeers with a spinning powerslam. DeBeers in trouble. Crowd cheering. Suddenly, Valerie took off her headset and made her way to ringside. Patera had circled around behind the stunned DeBeers and was preparing to lock DeBeers into his swinging full nelson finisher when he suddenly noticed Val standing at ringside. DeBeers moved over by the ropes and started yelling at Val. DeBeers made it to his feet behind Patera and charged up behind Patera and nailed Patera with a running high knee to the back. Patera bounced front-first into the ropes and DeBeers rolled him up from behind for the pin. 1... DeBeers grabbed a handful of tights. ...2...3! Ref called for the bell as the fans booed. Ref raised DeBeers hand in victory and the Col. then left the ring. Patera to his feet and glaring at Val. Larry Nelson walked up to Val with mic in hand. Val: Ken Patera. I can make you or break you. Take your pick. Valerie walked off as a livid Patera remained in the ring, WINNER: DeBeers - Pinfall - 10:27 END PROGRAM DARK MATCHES AWA WORLD TITLE*: Cactus Jack (WC) def. The Trooper via pinfall with his double underhook DDT finisher - 13:37 AWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES: The Destruction Crew (WTTC) def. The Top Guns via pinfall when Enos pinned Dukes after hitting Dukes in the face with his title belt - 15:09 INDIAN STRAP MATCH: Wahoo McDaniel def. Manny Fernandez by touching all four corners in succession - 9:18 - Both men bled (* Tapings held before WrestleRock.) ATTENDANCE: 2,544 (OK attendance. Fits and starts. Fits and starts.)

Kokina does pose a bvooking problem. I don't even know who the next WC will be and I write the stuff.

Never heard Heenan call it that before. LOL! He's right, though. Verne stuck to his guns way too long. Hogan was the future in '83 and he let it slip right through his fingers. You don't want to see Wahoo taking out all the younger AWA talent? I put the strap on Chief because he was the next major name face on the roster. Not to give anything away, but I would not hold my breath on a 2 year run with the big belt. IRL, it would have been a nice reward to cap off his long career IMHO.

If Togg reads this... Togg, brother, we know this is all in fun and we enjoy doing it. But, maybe you can split the duties on here with someone else when you're too busy IRL.

That's where I saw the match, too! Only it was called Super Star Wrestling and the box was yellow. Don't remember the 6-man, though. The Ric Flair-Kurt Von Hess match I posted a while back was off one of those video tapes as well. P.S. - My profile pic is of a young Rip Taylor. I think only a small number of us here would even know who he was. He would have been 51 IRL at this time. I was planning on booking him as champ for 2 years! 😬

CURRENT AWA ROSTER (Updated for June 1990) (New addition to the roster) (# As of this posting, there's still one more AWA TV show from late May with Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears as announcers to be posted.) OWNERS - TRIUMPH MEDIA SPORTS Deborah Harry John Waters Jim Crockett Bill Watts Jerry Jarrett PRESIDENT Stanley Blackburn FACES Wahoo McDaniel (AWA WC) Nikita Koloff Ken Patera Brad Rheingans Tom Zenk Billy Jack Haynes Scott Norton Greg Gagne Jake Milliman Top Guns (Ricky Rice & Derrick Dukes) 'Big' Reggie Bennett Sam Houston Wahoo McDaniel Don Muraco The Guerrero Bros. Tina Moretti Jerry Blackwell Wendi Richter Tommy Jammer Trooper Del Wilkes HEELS Cactus Jack Kokina Maximus Col. DeBeers The Destruction Crew (Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos - AWA WTTC) Badd Company (Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka) Manny Fernandez Greg Valentine (Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion) Tommy Rich Magnificent Mimi (AWA Women's WC) 'Cowboy' Bob Orton Heidi Lee Morgan Candi Divine (Tweener) Lelani Kai Jonnie Stewart Akio Sato Ninja Go MANAGERS (F = Face/H = Heel) Dallas Page (Badd Company) (H) Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey (Kokina Maximus) (H) Dick Murdoch (Sam Houston) (F) Valerie (Magnificent Mimi) (H) ANNOUNCERS AWA ON ESPN Joe Pedicino & Bill Dundee (Match Announcers) Larry Nelson (Ring Announcer/In-Ring Interviewer/Alcoholic) ALL-STAR WRESTLING (Syndicated) Jack Reynolds & David Crockett (Match Announcers) Eric Bischoff (Ring Announcer/In-Ring Interviewer) TELEVISION AWA Championship Wrestling (ESPN) AWA All-Star Wrestling (Syndicated)

COMING UP... The AWA is about to undergo some major changes now that WrestleRock is over. Lady wrestler Reggie Bennett was just the first new wrestler to arrive in the promotion after WR. Nikita Koloff is here. Intriguing new storylines/angles. Who's next and what's next for the new era AWA?! STAY TUNED... Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle vs. Jay Youngblood & The Renegade (Part 1) - Crowd heat is off the charts! Part 2: Koloff & Kernodle vs. Youngblood & Renegade

NWA World Women's Tag Team Title Tournament First Round - West Division bracket Ann Casey & Bonnie Watson vs. Judy Sowinski & Diane Syverson Sally Vega & Lita Marez vs. Paula Steele & Patty Stevens Non-tournament matches: Michèle Richard vs. Marie Vagnone Renée Martel & Claire Lepage vs. Beverly Shade & Vicki Steppe AGWA Shooting Star Championship** Ashley Sinclair (C) vs. France Gall AGWA Television Championship Shirley Hardman (C) vs. Jane O'Brien NWA United States Women's Championship Judy Arnold (C) vs. Ella Waldek

Don't forget to read the previous post and see what happened to the Trooper! PREDICTION CONTEST WINNER!!! (Winning picks listed in brackets.) The heel - 5/7 (Col. DeBeers, Wendi Richter, Kokina Maximus, Team Trooper, Bob Orton) DHK 1989 - 5/7 (CD, WR, KM, BO, JM) Old School Fan - 4/7 (WM, CD, Team Trooper, WR) JaCeLo3 - 3/7 (KM, BO, JM) We have a tie at the top! Congrats heel and DHK! Speeches, please! Two winners means two videos! VIDEO #1 Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal: VIDEO #2 Spikin' and Hangin' (Florida):

AWA WRESTLING ON ESPN - SHOWBOAT SPORTS PAVILION - LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 1990 Announcers: Lee Marshall & Lord James Blears Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Larry Nelson (# Aired on a previous AWA program.) (4TH Taping) (Show taped before WrestleRock.) Show Intro Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program: TV MAIN EVENT: The Trooper vs. Bob Orton Jerry Blackwell vs. Manny Fernandez Tom Zenk vs. Jonnie Stewart Ken Patera & Brad Rheingans vs. The Conquistadors And more! Nelson then talked about what a great event WrestleRock was and that they would have lots of news about it next week on the program. Nelson then sent it to the ring in Las Vegas. 'Big' Reggie Bennett (Ladies Professional Wrestling Association) vs. Peggy Lee Leather (LPWA) Leather came down the heel aisle to some boos. Bennett came down the face aisle to a fair amount of cheers. Both women put up a fight but big Reg was just too much and defeated Leather via submission with a split-leg rear chinlock finisher - 4:07 POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: Nelson: Reggie Bennett! Welcome to the AWA! That was an impressive victory! Reg: Larry Nelson. I'm here for one reason. Magnificent Mimi... I'm coming for you and that championship belt that's around your waist. You have been put on notice. Crowd cheered as Reg walked off and left the ring. Nelson: 'Big' Reggie Bennett, everybody! Reggie Bennett finisher: https://youtu.be/iyQze6-NH9c?si=aUFgvWWQkSwsJ6HO&t=214 Pic aired of Patera and Rheingans with the caption: NEXT... OLYMPIANS IN ACTION!!! Commercials Ken Patera and Brad Rheingans def. The Conquistadors when Rheingans pinned C #2 with his fisherman suplex (Perfect Plex) finisher - 5:22 Patera & Rheingans came to the ring down the face aisle to a positive crowd response. During the match, two men came marching down the heel aisle to the ring and marched around the ring holding up a banner that read: KEN PATERA! WORK FOR VALERIE! GOOD BENEFITS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS GUARANTEED! Patera saw the sign during the match and was distracted by it and it almost cost his team as C #1 caught Patera with a roll-up from behind for the pin try but Patera escaped. After a couple of laps around the ring, the banner boys left the area. Pic aired of Manny Fernandez and Jerry Blackwell with the caption: NEXT: BULL VS. MOUNTAIN!!! Commercials/AWA Tour Update Manny Fernandez vs. Jerry Blackwell Fernandez came to the ring down the heel aisle to mainly boos but also had his fans. Blackwell came down the face aisle to a pretty strong ovation. Jerry ate a couple of fans on the way to the ring. Manny took the mic. Manny: You gringos listen up! The Mestizo nation is rising within the nation! We are getting stronger every single day! Soon, you gringos will wake up strangers in your own land!! We didn't cross the border! The border crossed us! Mainly boos but also some cheers. Short but explosive battle between the two with nears falls for each man during the bout. End of the match saw Manny on the offensive. Manny hit Blackwell with punches and whipped Blackwell into the ropes and caught Blackwell coming off with a backhand to the face. Blackwell fell back against the ropes. Manny struck Blackwell with a few more punches and then went to whip Jerry into the ropes but Jerry reversed and caught Manny coming off with a clothesline. Manny crashed to the mat. Crowd cheered. Manny up and Jerry stunned Manny with a dropkick. Manny crashed back to thermat. Jerry grabbed Manny and whipped Manny into the corner. Jerry charged in on Manny and Manny moved and Jerry slammed front-first against the buckles. Jerry started to stumble backwards out of the corner and Manny rolled Jerry up from behind. 1... Manny grabbed Jerry's tights. ...2...3! Ref called for the bell as most fans booed. Manny up and the ref raised his hand in victory and Manny quickly left the ring. WINNER: Manny - Pinfall - 5:09 In-Studio: Nelson talked about Manny beating Blackwell. Hyped for next week on the program, highlights and reaction from WrestleRock. Split-screen pic aired of Tom Zenk and Jonnie Stewart with the caption: NEXT... JONNIE VS. TOM!!! Commercials Tom Zenk vs. Jonnie Stewart Zenk came down the face aisle to a fair amount of cheering. Zenk slapped hands with fans on the way down the aisle. Stewart came down the heel aisle to strong boos. Stewart climbed in the ring and strutted around to more booing. Short, fast-paced match between the two. Zenk almost scored an early victory in the bout. Match was a see-saw battle. End of the match saw Stewart on the offensive. Stewart worked over Zenk and went to whip Zenk into the ropes but Zenk reversed and caught Stewart coming off with a powerslam. Zenk picked up Stewart and bodyslammed him. Zenk went out on the apron and mounted the top buckle as Stewart made it to his feet and Zenk came off with his missle dropkick finisher but Stewart fell out of the way and Zenk crashed to the mat. Both men down. Ref counting. Both men up and Stewart struck Zenk with a punch, whipped Zenk into the corner and caught Zenk with a running back elbow smash to the chest. Zenk stumbled out of the corner and went down on his face in the ring. Stewart picked up Zenk and bodyslammed him. Stewart went out on the apron and mounted the top rope and came off with a big elbow that connected. Stewart covered Zenk and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as Stewart got to his feet and the ref raised his hand in victory to more boos. WINNER: Stewart - Pinfall - 7:11 Spit-screen pic aired of The Trooper and Bob Orton with the caption: NEXT... THE MAIN EVENT!!! In-Studio: Nelson hyped WrestleRock highlights and reaction on next week's program. Then sent it to the ring in Vegas. TV MAIN EVENT: The Trooper vs. 'Cowboy' Bob Orton Orton came down the heel aisle to pretty strong boos. Trooper came down the face aisle to a strong ovation. Trooper handed out souvenir speeding tickets on the way to the ring. The two men felt each other out early on before the action picked up. Some good back-and-forth action before Orton gained a clear advantage using some heel tactics but he could not put Trooper away. Trooper then gained the advantage and took control of the match. Orton was able to fight back late and regain the advantage. Orton was on the offensive and went to whip Trooper into the corner but Trooper reversed and sent Orton crashing into the buckles. Trooper moved in and hit Orton with shoulder blocks to the gut. Orton then shoved Trooper back and Trooper collided with the ref and both men went down. Orton stomped on Trooper and snapped Trooper up and went to suplex Trooper but Trooper twice blocked the suplex try and, just as the ref got to his feet, Trooper suplexed Orton into the ref and the ref crashed back down to the mat. Crowd buzzing (or just buzzed). Orton snapped up Trooper and whipped Trooper into the ropes and missed Trooper coming off with a clohtesline and Trooper came back and pulverized Orton with his flying shoulder tackle finisher. Crowd popped. Ref still down. Trooper backed up as Orton got to his feet. Trooper charged in and popped Orton with another flying shoulder tackle. Orton crashed back down to the mat. Trooper went over and checked on the ref. Masked mystery man came through the crowd and hopped the chain barricade and climbed in the ring. He had a cloth and spray can with him. Mystery man held the cloth up and sprayed it. Marshall: What is that smell, Lord James?! Blears: Smells like ether, Lee. Mystery man snuck up behind Trooper and placed the rag over his mouth. Trooper struggling trying to escape the gas. Trooper weakened fairly quickly and passed out on the mat. Orton had recovered enough and crawled over and covered Trooper and the masked mystery man dragged the ref over to count. Mystery man escaped through the crowd. Ref counted. 1.....2.....3! Ref called for the bell as the crowd booed. A dazed and confused Trooper barely moving. Orton and the ref to their feet and Orton had his hand raised in victory. WINNER: Orton - Pinfall - 10:42 END PROGRAM DARK MATCHES Jerry Blackwell & Announcer Lee Marshall def. Tommy Rich & Cactus Jack (WC) when Marshall pinned Rich after a diving splash - 8:20 PWHC TITLE MATCH: Greg Valentine (PWHC) vs. Don Muraco - Time-limit Draw - 20:00 INDIAN STRAP MATCH: Wahoo McDaniel def. Col. DeBeers by touching all four corners in succession - 8:13 - Both men bled PAID ATTENDANCE: 3,584 COMPS GIVEN OUT: 528 COMPS USED: 277 TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 3,861 (Good growth so far. Is it just the curiosity factor?) CLASSIC PWI COVER!!!

Interesting to see how titles were treated back then. It was pretty serious business. Today, it almost seems like all belts are treated as jokes. Back then, belts really meant something. Today, just props. The title run by Reigns doesn't have the oomph of the lengthy title runs of a Bruno or Hogan. It just doesn't resonate like those did. Moolah just trying to keep the belts amongst her girls is about pure greed. The belts meant money back then. And holding them hostage is her way to more $$$. Has a Buddy Rogers/NWA/WWF/Vince Sr. feel to it over the NWA belt that Vince Senior hi-jacked. Keep going. Good stuff.

I agree about the 10-man tag. Honestly, I just did not want to lay it out with all the moving parts. Had to put the 10 guys on the show for a payday. You're tired of the Jake Milliman Hulk Hogan gmmick? 🙃 Watts does need enhancement talent. Things will dramatically change starting with the June TV tapings. Unfortunately for Vixen, they did not hit their stride until the metal decade was winding down and petering out. Think they would have been bigger if they had their first album release in '85 rather than '88 or '89. Attendance was down by like 800 from the Sarge-Lawler house show match there. Ticket prices might have scared them off. But still would have been around a $100,000 house. Tix for the house show would have been much cheaper than WR. Glad you liked the Watts-Mimi interaction. Just seemed like a fun little bit to throw in there. The fallout from Kaissey's actions are coming soon. We'll see if they can top the show with Super Clash 5. Vixen looked good, their music was good but the expiration date on metal as a major form of music entertainment was fast approaching. The lead singer now works as a dental hygenist(?) in Connecticut, I believe. Thanks to both of you for leaving comments.

WRESTLEROCK FAN POLL Your opinion of WrestleRock? Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Thumbs in the middle Best match on WrestleRock? Worst match on WrestleRock? Star of the show? Was Vixen the right choice for the rock act on the show?

Rheingans, Brunzell (via DQ), Reed, Blackwell

I wanna go with Jos. But, I think Johnny retains in the their title clash (this time).