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Save the AWA


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The year is 1987, and things are at a crossroads for the once formidable AWA. After years of mismanagement by Verne Gagne and the continued raiding of talent by Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation, the AWA is a mere shell of its former self. Not one to take the inevitable lying down, Verne has turned to an unlikely source for inspiration, a young manager by the name of Paul Heyman, to guide his company's fortunes into the future. Verne still controls the purse strings, but hopefully with Heyman's help, the once vaunted franchise can be saved from the precipice of disaster.

 

Saving the AWA

 

Main Event

Curt Hennig

Greg Gagne

Jerry Lawler

Jimmy Snuka

Wahoo McDaniel

Rocky Johnson

Larry Zbysko

Nick Bockwinkel

Sgt. Slaughter

 

Upper Midcard

Bulldog Bob Brown

Jerry Blackwell

Buddy Rose

Dick Slater

Doug Somers

Mr. Saito

Rip Oliver

Sheik Adnan Al-Kaisey

 

Midcard

Assassin

D.J. Peterson

Marty Jannetty

Shawn Michaels

Sting

Buddy Wolfe

Cocoa Samoa

Col. DeBeers

Dennis Condrey

Leon White

Mike Miller

Randy Rose

Soldat Ustinov

Eddie Gilbert

 

Lower Midcard

Buck Zumhofe

Mark Young

Steve O

Shane Douglas

"Mr. Magnificent" Kevin Kelly

Boris Zhukov

The Terrorist

Eddie Guerrero

 

Opener

Jake Milliman

John Paul

Ricky Rice

Dean Malenko

Joe Malenko

Owen Hart

Cactus Jack

 

Enhancement Talent

Sonny Rogers

Nacho Berrera

Tom Stone

 

Women's Division

Debbie Combs

Candi Devine

Madusa Micelli

Penny Mitchell

Sherri Martel

 

Occasional Wrestlers

Baron von Raschke

Larry Hennig

Ray Stevens

 

AWA World Heavyweight Champion: Nick Bockwinkel (6th Title Reign)

 

AWA World Tag Team Champions: Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty (1st Title Reign)

 

AWA World Women's Champion: Sherri Martel (3rd Title Reign)

 

AWA World Light Heavyweight Champion: Vacant

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- Despite a money crunch, the AWA has seen fit to hire a few new stars to cheap, pay per appearence deals in a desperate attempt to find new stars. We already know that Sting and "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert are among the new signees, but also named are relative unknowns Eddie Guerrero, Owen Hart & Dean and Joe Malenko.

 

- There are rumors of some more signings in the works (Stampede Wrestling's Brian Pillman and UWF's Shane Douglas have been mentioned), but the big question is whether or not the AWA will sign well-known star Rocky Johnson to a big contract.

 

- Part of the worry has been the WWF scouring some of the more established stars, like Curt Hennig and the Rockers. They've already been sniffing around Debbie Coombs and Sherri Martel for their lagging women's division, and the AWA is in no financial position to offer strong guaranteed contracts to their workers.

 

- An incident between Bulldog Bob Brown and Mr. Saito occured last night in advance of the first All-Star Wrestling under new booker Paul Heyman. Heyman issued a stern warning to Saito, who was the instigator in the affair.

 

- The first show in the Paul Heyman era is in the books, as AWA All-Star Wrestling aired last night.

 

Rod Trongard & Lee Marshall hype tonight's main event, as Wahoo McDaniel takes on the young Leon White.

 

Sting made his debut as he defeated The Terrorist with a Stinger Splash at 12:20.

 

Paul E. Dangerously and the Original Midnight Express came out to the ring, talking about how they should be next in line for a shot at the Rockers and the AWA Tag Team Titles.

 

"Mr. Magnificent" Kevin Kelly defeated new signee Dean Malenko in a solid bout by way of a sleeper hold.

 

Sherri Martel cut a promo about being the Women's Champion. It's said that this promo brought the crowd to a screeching halt.

 

Curt Hennig was being interviewed by Eric Bischoff, and challenged AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel to a match.

 

Wahoo McDaniel defeated Leon White by disqualification, after Sgt. Slaughter came down and attacked McDaniel.

 

The view of the show has been overall a positive one.

 

- The preview for tonight's AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN:

 

Nick Bockwinkel will answer Curt Hennig's challenge, as well as defend his World Heavyweight Championship against newcomer Owen Hart.

 

The Midnight Rockers will be in non-title action against the Soviet duo of Boris Zhukov and Soldat Ustinov. Will The original Midnight Express be close behind them after their latest challenge from Paul E.?

 

Jerry "The King" Lawler has issued a message to Larry Zbyszko, and the two appear headed on a collision course. These two are expected to collide in the very near future.

 

Plus we will see Buddy Wolfe in action against DJ Peterson, Sgt. Slaughter battle Big Man Jerry Blackwell, and hope to hear a special announcement from a new signee here in the American Wrestling Association.[/b[

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<p><strong>Nick Bockwinkel</strong> vs. Owen Hart</p><p>

<strong> Midnight Rockers </strong>Vs. Soviet Sickles</p><p>

Buddy Wolfe vs. <strong>DJ Peterson</strong></p><p>

<strong> Sgt. Slaughter</strong> vs. Jerry Blackwell</p>

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<p>As a big fan of the AWA(what got me into wrestling,iin the late 80s is a tough row to hoe, I don't envy you. I ran an 89 diary for myself for a while and it was just downright brutal to try and keep them above water.</p><p> </p><p>

Predictions,predictions.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Nick Bockwinkel</strong> vs. Owen Hart(Owen gives a good accounting but eventually falls to the wiley Bockwinkel)</p><p>

Midnight Rockers Vs. <strong>Soviet Sickles</strong>(It's non title so I see the Russians getting a win)</p><p>

Buddy Wolfe vs. <strong>DJ Peterson</strong>(Always liked DJ)</p><p>

<strong>Sgt. Slaughter </strong>vs. Jerry Blackwell</p>

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<p><strong>Nick Bockwinkel</strong> vs. Owen Hart</p><p>

<strong>Midnight Rockers</strong> Vs. Soviet Sickles</p><p>

Buddy Wolfe vs. <strong>DJ Peterson</strong></p><p>

<strong>Sgt. Slaughter</strong> vs. Jerry Blackwell</p><p> </p><p>

I had AWA on the upswing when I gave them a go several years ago (gaining ground until the game crashed). Nick may be old, but he can still deliver stellar matches in the ring, as can Sarge who even turned in A & B rated matches in TV squashes. This gives you plenty of time to use Nick as the champ while you build up some of the other heels to be viable challengers to whoever you move the title to (whether that's Henning or Lawler or someone else -- contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to be done right away)</p><p> </p><p>

don't discount Leon (baby Vader) White as someone who can carry the middle/upper card. His loss to Nick in a loser leave town cage match was one of my highlights (he was slated to return under the Vader mask given to him by Arnold and the hollywood props department)</p>

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AWA Championship Wrestling

 

- Sgt. Slaughter d. Jerry Blackwell with a Cobra Clutch. There wasn't a lot of selling here, but the crowd was into it. ©

 

- After the match, Wahoo McDaniel came down to fight Sarge, but Sarge ran away, letting this build for another day. (C+)

 

- "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert cut a promo on himself, telling everyone how great he is. This whole thing went over like a wet blanket. (E-)

 

- There's an interview backstage between Eric Bischoff and Larry Zbyszko, as Zbyszko insulted Jerry Lawler, calling him "King of the Trailer Park Trash in Memphis." He says anytime the "Burger King" wants to step in the ring with the Living Legend, he'll be ready anytime, anywhere. (D+)

 

- Buddy Wolfe d. D.J. Peterson by pinfall. Peterson was visibly tiring towards the end of the match, and it affected the crowd. (D-)

 

- The Midnight Rockers d. Soldat Ustinov and Boris Zhukov by pinfall in a non-title match. Despite good work from Sheik Al-Kassay on the outside, Ustinov was exhausted by the end of the long match, and the quality was impacted somewhat. (D+)

 

- After the match the Original Midnight Express attacked The Midnight Rockers, fulfilling their promise of challenging the champions. Apparently there's no chemistry between Paul E. Dangerously and Dennis Condrey, so the segment suffered as a result. (D-)

 

- Luckily Bockwinkel is around to save our show, as he cuts a great promo on Curt Hennig, refusing to defend his AWA World Title against him. (B)

 

- Nick Bockwinkel d. Owen Hart in a great match, that made Hart look like a million bucks. Owen looked strong out there, but Nick wins with a piledriver to close the show. (B-)

 

Show's Overall Rating: C+ (gaining popularity in ten regions). We also scored an 0.32 rating on ESPN.

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How...how...how...How in the world could Larry Z put on a D+ segment on the mic? Even if Bischoff blew chunks, that wouldn't do it. He was amazing on the mic, especially when taunting a face. I'm just stunned. Really solid show.
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