AWA 1989: A Financial Savior Is (Badly) Needed

[Captain Kremmen]

On 6/21/2024 at 10:53 PM, Herrbear said:

ONE FALL WITH A 20-MINUTE TIME-LIMIT

Don Muraco vs. Jonnie Stewart vs. 'Big' Reggie Bennett



 

That would be quite the 3-way dance! LOL!

 

On 6/23/2024 at 3:53 PM, DHK1989 said:

"Trust the process"

They're doomed...

Ye of little faith. This is a Bill Watts' idea. Not something stupid like Finger poke of doom!

(Yes. I think Watts was one of the best promoters/bookers of all-time.)

[Captain Kremmen]

DARK MATCH

The Trooper vs. Ninja Go

WINNER: Trooper - Pinfall - Flying Shoulder Tackle - 5:09
 

PRESENTS

CHRISTMAS CHAOS - ST. PAUL CIVIC CENTER - ST. PAUL, MN - 12/11/90

LIVE ON ESPN

Announcers: Joe Pedicino & Bill Dundee

Ring Announcer/In-ring Interviewer: Larry Nelson

Shot of a small crowd (lots of the seating areas were darkened).

Even though a small crowd, the crowd was already buzzing.

Special video aired to open the show.

Announcers Pedicino and Dundee welcomed viewers and ran down the card:

AWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Wahoo McDaniel (WC) vs. Col. DeBeers

AWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: Billy Jack Haynes & Scott Norton (WTTC) vs. Badd Company

$250,000 DOLLAR CHALLENGE: Kokina Maximus vs. Nikita Koloff
(If Koloff doesn't slam and defeat Kokina, he must work for Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey for a year! If Koloff accomplishes the feat, he's $250 grand richer!)

Tully Blanchard & Ken Patera vs. Brad Rheingans & Barry Windham

AWA WOMEN'S WORLD TITLE MATCH: Magnificent Mimi (WC) vs. 'Big' Reggie Bennett

Announcers sent it to the ring.

Don Muraco vs. Jonnie Stewart (20-minute time-limit)

Stewart came to the ring to loud boos from the crowd down the face aisle.

Muraco came down the face aisle to a strong crowd response.

Ref called for the bell.

Stewart charged at Muraco and Muraco grabbed Stewart and dropped Stewart with a gorilla press slam. Stewart up and Muraco charged in and nailed Stewart with a running clothesline. Stewart crashed back to the mat. Stewart up and went to punch Muraco but Muraco blocked the punch try and peppered Stewart with punches. Muraco whipped Stewart into the ropes and Stewart grabbed the top rope and Muraco charged over and pulverized Stewart with a running clothesline that sent Stewart toppling over the top rope and down to the floor as the crowd cheered. Ref ordered Muraco back and started the 10-count. Stewart slow to get to his feet on the floor. Count grew. Stewart quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count. Crowd booed. Stewart walking around on the floor. Ref again ordered Muraco back and started the 10-count. Stewart pacing around on the floor. Count grew. Stewart climbed up on the ring apron and started to climb back in the ring when Muraco came over and Stewart bailed back to the floor. More boos.

Pedicino: Has the spirit of Larry Zbyszko entered this guy?

Muraco ignored the ref and bolted the ring and chased Stewart around the ring. Stewart rolled back into the ring and got to his feet as Muraco rolled in. Stewart grabbed the top rope and stomped away on Muraco. Stewart broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Stewart snapped up Muraco, whipped Muraco into the ropes and looked to catch Muraco coming off with a clothesline but Muraco ducked the move and came off with another clothesline on Stewart. Stewart crashed to the mat as the fans cheered. Muraco for the cover. 1...2... Stewart kicked out. Muraco popped Stewart with a head shot, snapped Stewart up and slammed Stewart's head into the top buckle. Stewart turned around in the corner and Muraco nailed Stewart with a series of shoulder blocks to the gut. Muraco whipped Stewart into the opposite buckles and charged in with a running shoulder block but Stewart moved and Muraco slammed shoulder-first into the post. Stewart quickly regained his bearings as Muraco separated himself from the post. Muraco turned and Stewart raked Muraco's eyes. Ref reprimanded Stewart. Stewart grabbed Muraco in a side headlock and charged into the corner and slammed the top of Muraco's head into the top buckle. Muraco stumbled back. Stewart with a series of lefts to Muraco's jaw. Stewart whipped Muraco into the corner and charged in and nailed Muraco with a running back elbow to the chest. Stewart popped Muraco with a series of elbow strikes to the side of the head. Muraco stumbled out next to the ropes. Stewart hit Muraco with a double sledge to the back followed by a belly-to-back suplex. Stewart up and stomped away on Muraco. Stewart slammed Muraco's head into the mat three times. Stewart snapped up Muraco and nailed Muraco with a bodyslam. Stewart went for a jumping elbow smash but Muraco rolled out of the way and Stewart crashed to the mat. Crowd cheered. Both men slowly to their feet. Stewart caught Muraco with a kick to the gut and a head shot. Stewart went to suplex Muraco but Muraco twice blocked the suplex try and suplexed Stewart. Crowd cheered. Both men up and Stewart swung at Muraco and missed and Muraco came back with a series of punches that stunned Stewart. Muraco hoisted Stewart across his shoulders and nailed Stewart with a Samoan drop. Muraco for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Stewart got a shoulder up. Muraco snapped up Stewart and whipped Stewart into the buckles. Muraco moved in with a series of knees to the gut. Muraco whipped Stewart into the opposite buckles and charged in and succeeded in nailing Stewart with a running shoulder block to the gut. Stewart dropped to a knee in the corner. Muraco reached down to pull Stewart up and Stewart caught Muraco with a headbutt below the belt, Muraco stumbled back holding his junk. Stewart up and nailed Muraco with punches. Stewart whipped Muraco into the ropes and caught Muraco coming off with his old knee to the gut finisher. Muraco crashed to the mat. Stewart for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Muraco kicked out. Stewart up as Muraco was getting up and caught Muraco in a front facelock. Stewart cinched up on the hold as Muraco tried to escape. Muraco caught Stewart with a series of shots to the side of the ribs to free himself from the hold. Muraco clapped the sides of Stewart's head with his forearms. Stewart's bell rung and he went down. Muraco started to pull Stewart up when Stewart stunned Muraco with a jawbreaker to the top of the head. Muraco snapped back and crashed to the mat. Stewart for the cover. 1....2...thr... Muraco kicked out. Stewart picked up Muraco and bodyslammed Muraco. Stewart went out on the apron and started to mount the top rope when Stewart turned and yelled something at the crowd. Muraco up and went over and grabbed Stewart and slammed Stewart off the top rope (think Ric Flair). Stewart slowly up to his feet and Muraco moved in and nailed Stewart with punches, whipped Stewart into the ropes and caught Stewart coming off with a scoop powerslam. Crowd popped. Muraco signaled it was time for his inverted piledriver finisher. Muraco hoisted Stewart up and nailed Stewart with the inverted piledriver. Crowd cheered. Muraco covered Stewart. 1...2...3! Crowd roared as the ref called for the bell.

Muraco up and the ref raised his hand in victory.

Muraco left the ring and headed back up the face aisle while slapping hands with fans along the way.

WINNER: Muraco - Pinfall - 8:18

Announcers discussed the Muraco victory.

Graphic aired on the screen: NEXT... AWA WOMEN'S WORLD TITLE MATCH!!!

Commercials

AWA WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Magnificent Mimi (WC - w/ Valerie) vs. 'Big' Reggie Bennett

Bennett came down the face aisle to a strong ovation.

Mimi and Val came down the heel aisle to a potent negative reaction.

Shot of AWA President Nick Bockwinkel seated at ringside.

Nelson was standing center ring with mic in hand.

Nelson: This match is scheduled for one fall with a 15-minute time-limit and is for the AWA Women's World Championship!

Crowd cheered.

Nelson: Introducing first, the challenger.

Weighing in at 227 pounds! She hails from Venice Beach, California... 'Big' Reggie Bennett!

Nice pop from the crowd.

Nelson: And her opponent.

Boos echoing throughout the arena.

Nelson: She is managed by Valerie.

Weighing in at 133 pounds! From Los Angeles, California... she is the reigning AWA Women's World Champion.... the Magnificent Mimi!

Loud boobs.

Nelson: Your referee is Marty Miller!

Mimi held the title aloft for all to see before the ref took it and also held it up for all to see before handing it off to Larry Nelson.

Ref called both women out to the middle of the ring. Val came out with Mimi.

Ref laid down the ground rules and patted each lady down before sending them back to their respective corners.

Val left for the floor.

Ref called for the bell and Mimi immediately left the ring for the floor and walked over to Larry Nelson.

Nelson had the mic.

Mimi: I see President Bockwinkel is here tonight! I want it made perfectly clear that I am wrestling this match under protest!

More boos from the crowd.

Mimi climbed back up on the apron and made her way back into the ring.

Pedicino: Reggie has an almost 100 pound weight advantage. Mimi's definitely the underdog in this match.

Dundee: I love big girls like Reggie! There's more to love! Wow!

Pedicino: Would you stop!

The pair moved in on each other and started to lock up when Mimi backed away from Reg and Mimi started to run around the ring. Reg went to grab Mimi but Mimi evaded her. Mimi continued running around in the ring and Reg tried to grab her again but Mimi evaded her once more. Mimi kept running around in the ring and Reg lunged at her missed again.

Dundee: This is a brilliant strategy on Mimi's part. She's looking to tire out big Reg and make her easier to defeat.

Mimi kept running around in the ring and Reg lunged at her again and Mimi stepped out on the apron and yelled for the ref to get Reg back. Ref ordered Reg back and started the 10-count. Mimi climbed back in the ring and Reg gave chase and Mimi climbed out on the apron on the opposite side. Mimi holding the top rope. Mimi laughed at Reg. Reg came over, grabbed the top rope and catapaulted Mimi back into the ring. Mimi crashed to the mat. Crowd cheered. Reg moved in on Mimi and Mimi quickly scooted into the corner. Mimi tried to call a timeout to no avail. Reg grabbed Mimi's legs and Mimi grabbed the top rope. Reg pulled Mimi's legs and Mimi's body lifted off the ground as she held onto the top rope. Mimi dangling in mid-air. Reg yanked Mimi and Mimi lost her grip on the rope and crashed to the mat. Reg still holding Mimi's legs and catapaulted Mimi across the ring and Mimi slammed face-first into the mat. Mimi tried to crawl out of the ring but Reg reached down and pulled Mimi to her feet. Reg whipped Mimi into the ropes and caught Mimi coming off with a high backdrop. Mimi crashed to the mat. Mimi got to her feet and tried to escape out of the ring once again but Reg grabbed Mimi and shook Mimi like a rag doll and threw Mimi down on the mat. Val concerned at ringside.

Pedicino: I think Mimi's met her Waterloo!

Dundee: Waterloo? We're not in Iowa.

Pedicino: Not Waterloo, Iowa! Water... Oh, never mind!

Reg grabbed Mimi by the hair and whipped her across the ring. A stunned Mimi made it to her feet and backed into the corner. Reg moved in and hit Reg with a shoulder block to the gut. Reg whipped Mimi into the opposite buckles. Reg charged in with an avalanche but Miimi moved and Reg slammed front-first into the buckles. Reg leaned against the buckles and Mimi to her feet shaking out the effects of the beating she'd taken. Reg extricated herself from the buckles and turned and Mimi nailed her with a series of leg strikes to the side of the ribs. Mimi then caught Reg with a series of forearms to the chest. Reg turned away from Mimi and Mimi came up behind Reg with a chop block to the back of the knee and Reg crumpled to the mat. Mimi went out on the apron and mounted the top buckle as Reg slowly got to her feet. Reg turned and Mimi came off with a missle dropkick that connected. Reg crashed to the mat. Mimi for the cover. 1...2...thr... Reg kicked out with such force that Mimi went through the middle and bottom rope and crashed to the floor. Fans cheered. As Reg started recovering in the ring the ref began the 10-count. Val came over and helped Mimi up and had some words for the champ. Mimi climbed back into the ring as Reg got up facing away from Mimi and Mimi jumped on Reg's back and Reg started to thrash around like a wild bull. Reg then backed up with Mimi on her back and drove MImi into the buckles. Reg freed from the hold. Mimi limp in the corner. Reg moved in and clubbed Mimi with forearms to the chest. Reg pulled Mimi out of the corner and bodyslammed the champ. Reg then nailed Mimi with a leg drop.

Pedicino: All that weight coming down on Mimi. This has to be it.

Reg for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Mimi somehow got a shoulder up. Reg somewhat in disbelief. Reg pulled Mimi up by the hair. Reg hoisted Mimi up for a suplex but Mimi wriggled free from Reg's grasp and dropped down behind Reg and shoved Reg in the back. Reg turned and Mimi hit Reg with a dropkick. Reg stunned. Mimi hit Reg with another dropkick. Reg wobbly. Mimi ran and hit the ropes and came off with a thirds dropkick on Reg that connected. Reg wobbled and crashed to the mat. Mimi stomped Reg. Mimi grabbed Reg's legs and positioned Reg in the ring. Mimi mounted the middle buckle and came off with a diving splash that connected. Mimi then repeated the move with success. Mimi for the cover. 1...2...thr... Reg kicked out. Crowd cheered. Mimi stomped Reg in the head. A shaky Reg got to her feet. Mimi with punches on Reg and Reg suddenly appeared to 'Hulk up'. Mimi hit Reg with more punches that Reg no sold. Reg pointed at Mimi. Mimi backed off as the crowd cheered. Mimi turned and tried to leave the ring but Reg grabbed Mimi from behind and nailed Mimi with an atomic drop. Mimi walking on her tiptoes. Reg grabbed Mimi, whipped Mimi into the ropes and caught Mimi coming off with a back elbow to the chest. Mimi crashed to the mat.

Pedicino: I don't see how Mimi survives this!

Dundee: I don't know if I could survive a night of passion with 'Big' Reg! Whoa boy!

Pedicino: Seriously?! You say that now?!

Mimi tried to crawl out of the ring but Reg grabbed her leg and dragged her back into the ring. Reg snapped Mimi up and whipped Mimi into the ropes and looked to catch Mimi coming off with a backdrop but Mimi caught Reg with a kick to the chest. Reg turned away from Mimi and Mimi came up behind Reg and shoved Reg hard, front-first into the buckles. Reg slammed into them and staggered backwards out of the corner. Mimi dropped to all fours behind Reg and eeg toppled over MImi and crashed to the mat. Mimi for the roll-up cover. 1... Mimi grabbed the tights. ...2...3! NO! Reg kicked Mimi off and Mimi slammed into the buckles. Reg to her feet as Mimi staggered out of the corner. Reg caught Mimi with a head shot, whipped Mimi into the ropes and caught Mimi coming off with a monster clothesline that sent Mimi crashing to the mat as the crowd popped. Mimi rolled over on her side. Val in a panic at ringside.

Nelson: 12 minutes gone! Three minutes remain!

Crowd buzzing.

Reg rolled Mimi on to her front side. Crowd knew what was coming. Reg caught Mimi in her split-leg rear chinlock finisher.

Pedicino: I do not see how MImi escapes this!

Mimi in dire pain locked in the hold but Reg sitting on her back meant she was not moving anywhere.

Suddenly...

DING! DING! DING!

Some in the crowd popped. The ref was confused. Reg released the hold and got up thinking she'd won.

Pedicino: Wait a minute! Val rang the ring bell! The 15 minute time-limit wasn't up!

What the...

Confusion reigned.

President Bockwinkel made his way into the ring.

Bockwinkel was talking with the ref. Larry Nelson climbed in the ring with mic in hand.

As Bockwinkel and the ref continued talking. Mimi was able to crawl over to the apron and be pulled out onto the floor by Valerie. Mimi dropped to her ass on the floor.

Val went over and grabbed the title belt off the timekeeper's table. A shaky Mimi to her feet. Val led Mimi back up the heel aisle to the back with belt in tow.

Nelson: President Bockwinkel. What's going on?

Bockwinkel: Valerie rang the bell. I have ordered the referee to re-start the match.

Crowd cheered.

Nelson: The match will re-start on the referee's signal.

Bockwinkel: Wait! Where's the champion?!

Nelson: She got out of Dodge!

Bockwinkel: Re-start the match when I tell you and start counting if she isn't back out here.

Crowd buzzing.

Everybody waited in the ring for about 30 seconds.

Bockwinkel: Re-start the match.

Nelson and Bockwinkel left the ring.

Ref ordered the bell rung to re-start the match.

Bennett pacing aorund in the ring.

Ref started the 10-count.

At the count of five there was still no sign of Mimi.

...6...7...8...

Still no Mimi.

...9...10.

Ref called for the bell.

Nelson climbed up on the ring apron and talked briefly with the ref.

Ref raised Reg's hand in victory to modest cheers as most fans knew what the count out meant.

Nelson: In a time of 12 minutes, 29 seconds, your winner by count out... 'Big' Reggie Bennett!

Because Bennett did not win by pinfall or submission the title does not change hands!

Magnificent Mimi is still the champion!

Strong boos from the crowd as a disappointed Bennett talked with the ref in the ring.

WINNER: Bennett - Count Out - 12:29

Announcers discussed the wild match and controversial finish. Said Reg will definitely get another shot because of what just transpired.

Dundee: Reggie might need to blow off some of that frustration. I'll give her my room number.

Pedicino: Sometimes I want just go play in traffic after some of the stuff you say.

Dundee: Make sure it's during rush hour. It will make things more exciting.

Graphic appeared on the screen with the caption: NEXT... TULLLY & KEN VS. BRAD & BARRY!!!

Commercials/AWA Tour Update

Barry Windham & Brad Rheingans vs. Tully Blanchard & Ken Patera (w/ Valerie)

Tully, Ken and Valerie made their way to the ring down the heel aisle to strong boos and some trash thrown in their direction.

Once in the ring, the trio played to the crowd to further draw their ire.

More incoming trash from the fans at the ring.

Patera's long, thick brown hair that he'd had since being released from prison a few years earlier was now gone. Instead, it was back to the shorter, bleach blond look.

Windham and Rheingans charged down the face aisle and hit the ring and the two teams started brawling immediately. Crowd into it. The two teams were slugging it out when Tully and Ken gained the upper hand. Tully and Ken went to whip Barry and Brad into each other but Brad and Barry reversed and sent Tully and Ken crashing into each other. Crowd popped. Tully and Ken on stagger street. Barry and Brad continued the assault on Tully and Ken. Barry dropped Tully with an uppercut and Tully rolled out of the ring and crashed to the floor. Barry followed Tully out. Brad and Ken worked each other over in the ring and Ken gained the upper hand and threw Brad over the top rope down to the floor. Ken left the ring and came up behind Barry, who had the advantage over Tully, and Ken hit Barry in the back with a forearm smash. Tully recovered and he and Ken started pounding on Barry on the floor. Ref trying to restore order by calling for the bell. Fans eating it up. Brad recovered on the floor and charged over and jumped into the fray and started popping Tully and Ken. Barry recovered and joined in the fight. The four wrestlers continued their assault on one another. Tully caught Bard with a kick to the gut and threw Brad into the ringside barricade. Ken and Barry slugging it out in a Mexican stand-off. Tully grabbed an empty chair from next to the timekeeper's table and folded it up and raised the chair over his head and prepared to clock Brad with it but the ref grabbed the chair out of Tully's hands. Barry had gained the advantage over Ken and threw Ken back into the ring. Val taking it all in. Brad recovered and fired away on Tully and threw Tully back into the ring. Brad followed Tully and the fighting continued. Ref called for the bell to restore order but no dice. AWA officials came down the face aisle and hit the ring and separated the two teams. Both teams wanting a crack at one another. Crowd buzzing like pot smokers. Officials keeping the two sides at bay. Ref had a brief discussion with a couple of the officials.

The two teams were now separated into opposite corners. Things calming down.

After a brief cooling off period the ref finally was able to call for the bell.

Tully and Brad the legal men in the ring. The two engaged in a collar-and-elbow tie-up and Brad drove Tully into the corner. Tully yelled at the ref that Brad had pulled his locks. Crowd booed. Break was clean. The two engaged in another collar-and elbow tie-up and this time Brad drove Tully against the ropes. Ref ordered another break. Looked like it was gonna be clean until Tully kicked Brad in the gut. Tully nailed Brad with a series of elbows to the back of the neck and then slammed Brad's head into the top turnbuckle. Brad spun around in the corner and Tully popped Brad with head and body shots and then choked Brad out with his boot. Tully broke the illegal move at the ref's count of 4. Tully pulled Brad out of the corner and nailed Brad with a suplex followed by a rapid-fire series of elbow drops to the chest. Tully for the cover. 1...2... Brad kicked out. Tully snapped Brad up and whipped Brad into the ropes and looked to catch Brad coming off with a backdrop but Brad instead caught Tully in a sunset flip for the pin. 1...2... Tully clapped his legs against the side of Brad's head to escape. Both men up and Tully caught Brad with a punch and went to bodyslam Brad but Brad caught Tully in a small package for the pin. 1...2... Tully kicked out. Both men up and engaged in another collar-and-elbow tie-up and Brad gained the advantage and caught Tully in a side headlock. Tully, after struggling to free himself from the hold, managed to shove Brad off. Brad hit the ropes and came off with a shoulder block that dropped Tully. Tully up and Brad hit the ropes and came off with another shoulder block that dropped Tully. Tully scooted over to his corner and tagged in Ken. Crowd buzzing. Patera came in and stood in front of Brad and struck a bodybuilder pose to boos from the crowd. Brad responded by kicking Patera in the gut to cheers. Brad hit Ken with a series of European uppercuts, whipped Ken into the ropes and caught Ken coming off with a high backdrop. Patera slammed to the mat as the crowed roared. Brad snapped Ken up and nailed Ken with a gutwrench suplex. Brad then waited for Patera to get to his feet. Brad came up behind Ken and grabbed Ken around the waist and Patera responded with a series of elbows to the side of Brad's head. Ken freed from the hold. Ken popped Brad with punches and drove Brad against the ropes. Ken whipped Brad into the ropes and caught Brad coming off with a near-decapitating clothesline. Brad crashed to the mat. Ken stood over Brad and struck a couple of bodybuilder poses to boos from the crowd. Ken snapped Brad up and wiped Brad into the buckles. Patera moved in and nailed Brad with a series of shoulder blocks to the gut. Brad staggered out by the ropes and Ken clubbed Brad in the back. Ken whipped Brad into the ropes and looked to catch Brad coming off with backdrop but Brad instead caught Ken with a swinging neckbreaker. Crowd erupted. Both men down. Ref counting. Both men slowly to their feet. Patera struck Brad with a punch and Brad responded with a belly-to-belly suplex out of nowhere on Ken.

Brad for the cover. 1...2... Tully in and went to drop an elbow on Brad to break up the pin try but Brad moved and Tully elbow smashed Ken instead. Crowd going wild. Barry hit the ring and nailed Tully with a couple of punches. Ref turned to get Barry out of the ring. Behind the ref's back, Brad snapped up Ken and Tully clubbed Brad in the back. Brad lost his grip on Ken. Tully back to his corner as the ref and Barry situation petered out. Ken grabbed Brad and locked Brad in a bearhug. Brad fighting not to give in. Patera cinched up on the hold. Barry hit the ring and clubbed Patera in the back to free Brad from the hold. Tully hit the ring to go after Barry but the ref intercepted him and ordered him back to his corner. While the ref was busy with Tully, Barry decided to THB (turn heel briefly) and stunned Ken with a DDT. Crowd went nuts. Barry back to his corner. Brad turned Ken over for the pin. 1...2...thr... Tully hit the ring and stomped Brad in the back to break up the pin try. Brad and Ken down. Ref counting. Both men up and Ken took a swipe at Brad and missed and Brad made the hot tag to Barry. Crowd going wild. Barry in and blasted Ken with punches. Barry whipped Ken into the ropes and caught Ken coming off with a dropkick. Ken up and Barry went to whip Ken into the ropes but Ken reversed and looked to catch Barry coming off with a backdrop but Barry leapfrogged Ken and ran Ken into the ropes for a roll-up from behind for the pin. 1...2... Tully hit the ring and nailed Barry with a brutal running clothesline to break up the pin try. Barry down. Ref ordered Tully out of the ring. Ken up and snapped up Barry and whipped Barry into the corner. Ken charged in and nailed Barry with a running clothesline. Barry limp in the corner. Ken tagged in Tully. Tully charged in and hammered away on Barry and threw Barry out of the corner. Barry went down in the ring. Tully quickly grabbed Barry and tried to hit Barry with his slingshot suplex finisher but Barry twice blocked the move and caught Tully with a series of shots to the side of the ribs to free himself from the hold. Barry ran and hit the ropes and came off with a punch try but he and Tully wound up blasting each other with punches. Both men on stagger street. Tully moved in with more punches and then whipped Barry into the ropes and caught Barry with a kick to the gut followed by a piledriver. Tully covered Barry. 1...2...thr... Barry got his foot on the bottom rope. Crowd cheered. Tully snapped Barry up and went to whip Barry into the ropes but Barry reversed and caught Tully coming off with his flying lariat finisher. Crowd erupted. Barry and Tully both down as they'd just been hit by big moves. Crowd urging Barry to pin Tully. Ref counting. As the count grew, Barry crawled over and draped an arm across Tully's chest for the pin. 1...2...thr... Tully kicked out. Crowd groaned. Crowd may be small but they are loud. Tully up and dived over and tagged on Ken. Barry looking to tag in Brad but Ken blasted Barry from behind with a clubbing forearm to the back. Ken grabbed Barry, hoisted him in the air and dropped Barry throat-first across the top rope. Barry snapped back and crumpled to the mat. Patera put his foot on the side of Barry's face and struck another bodybuilder pose to boos from the crowd.

Ken reached down and started to pull Barry up but Barry caught Ken with a series of gut punches. Barry to his feet and channeled the Dusty in him by hitting a series of bionic elbows to the top of Ken's head as the crowd cheered. Ken stunned. Barry whipped Ken into the ropes and blasted Ken coming off with his dropkick. Ken spun around and crashed to the mat. Barry tagged in Brad. Ken up and Brad came in and popped Ken with punches, whipped Ken into the ropes and caught Ken coming off with a belly-to-belly suplex. Crowd into it. Brad snapped Ken up and hit Ken with his fisherman suplex (Perfect Plex) finisher for the pin. 1...2... Tully hit the ring and stomped Brad in the gut to break up the pin try. Barry hit the ring and blasted Tully with a flying clothesline. Tully crashed to the mat and rolled out of the ring and crashed to the floor. Barry followed him out. Barry tore into Tully. In the ring, Ken and Brad made it to their feet. Brad caught Ken with a gut kick and went to hit Ken with a cutter but Ken shoved Brad off and Bard spun around and Ken pulverized Brad with a clothesline. On the floor, Tully and Barry now fighting back-and-forth up the face aisle. Crowd into the whole scene. Ken snapped Brad up, grabbed Brad in a bearhug and drove Brad hard into the corner. Ken released Brad and Brad came a few steps out of the corner and crumpled to the mat. Tully and Barry had disappeared to the back. Brad to a knee in the ring and Ken grabbed Brad in the full nelson and snapped Brad to his feet. Ken held Brad there for a moment and then blasted Brad with his full nelson slam finisher. Ken for the cover. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as most of the crowd booed but some cheered.

Patera up and the ref raised his hand in victory. Val came in and congratulated Ken but would have to congratulate Tully later as he was busy fighting in the back with Barry Windham.

Patera stood over the defeated Rheingans and struck another bodybuilder pose. As Ken and Valerie faced the crowd and Ken struck a few more bodybuilder poses, Brad recovered enough to come up behind Ken, spin Ken around and blast Ken with a cutter as the crowd roared. Val bailed to the floor. Ken laid out in the ring as a defeated but determined Brad looked down angrily at his former tag partner.

WINNER: Ken & Tully - PInfall - 11:47

Announcers discussed the tag team match.

Graphic aired on the screen with the caption: NEXT... $250,000 CHALLENGE!!!

Commercials

$250,000 DOLLAR CHALLENGE MATCH (If Nikita slams Kokina and wins the match, he wins the money! If Kokina wins, Nikita must work for Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey for a year!): Nikita Koloff vs. Kokina Maximus (w/ Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey & The Masked Doctor)

Shot of the stretcher at ringside.

Nikita came down the face aisle to a huge ovation.

Kokina, Kaissey and the Doc came down the heel aisle to loud boos.

Kaissey carrying the briefcase containing the $250 grand.

Kaissey had final words with Kokina before he and the doctor left the ring.

Announcers drove home the point that Nikita had to both bodyslam Kokina and beat him to win the money. Said Kokina had never been beaten nor had anyone ever bodyslammed him.

Ref called for the bell.

The two men walked up to one another and stared daggers at each other.

Kokina slapped Nikita. Nikita briefly staggered. Nikita then slapped Kokina to the delight of the crowd. Kokina stunned but quickly recovered and caught Nikita with a headbutt. Kokina picked up Nikita and bodyslammed him. Kokina went to drop an elbow on Nikita but Nikita rolled out of the way and Kokina slammed to the mat. Crowd popped. Both men up and Nikita went to hoist Kokina up for a bodyslam but Nikita crumpled under Kokina's weight and Nikita crashed to the mat with Kokina on top of him for the pin. 1...2...thr... Nikita kicked out. Crowd cheered. Kokina snapped Nikita up and whipped Nikita into the corner. Nikita slammed into the buckles. Kokina moved in and turned around, grabbed the top rope with both hands and drove his backside into Nikita three times. Nikita limp in the corner. Kokina grabbed Nikita and violently threw him out of the corner. Nikita crashed to the mat. Nikita up and Kokina popped Nikita with a double chop to the sides of the neck. Kokina whipped Nikita into the ropes and caught Nikita coming off with savate kick. Nikita crashed to the mat. Kokina stomped Nikita in the head and snapped Nikita up and blasted Nikita with a lifting side slam. Kokina then went to hit Nikita with a running leg drop but Nikita again rolled out of the way and Kokina crashed to the mat. Both men down. Crowd into it. Ref counting. Both men made it to their feet and Kokina caught Nikita with a knee to the gut. Kokina went to whip Nikita into the corner but Nikita reversed and sent Kokina slamming into them. Nikita moved in and nailed Kokina with a series of rapid-fire shoulder blocks to the gut. Nikita whipped Kokina into the opposite buckles. Nikita charged in and looked to sickle Kokina in the corner but Kokina moved and Nikita slammed front-first into the buckles. Nikita bounced out and staggered away. Kokina quickly regained his bearings. Kokina clubbed Nikita from behind three times. Nikita down to a knee next to the ropes. Kokina snapped up Nikita and choked Nikita on the top rope. Kokina broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Nikita leaned out over the top rope and Kokina neck snapped Nikita and Nikita snapped back and crashed to the mat. Kokina stomped on Nikita and then hit Nikita with an elbow smash. Kokina for the cover. 1...2...thr... Nikita kicked out. Crowd cheered. Kokina snapped up Nikita and nailed him with a side belly-to-belly suplex. Nikita down and rolled over on his front side by the ropes. Kokina went over and stood on Nikita's back while holding the top rope. Ref counting. Kokina broke the illegal move at the ref's count of 4.

Kokina snapped Nikita up and threw Nikita into the corner. Kokina backed up and charged in looking to avalanche Nikita but Nikita moved and Kokina slammed front-first into the buckles. Nikita briefly shook out the effects of the match as Kokina extricated himself from the buckles. Kokina turned and walked right into a series of gut kicks from Nikita. Nikita pounded away on Kokina. Crowd heat rising. Nikita whipped Kokina into the ropes and blasted Kokina with a running clothesline. Kokina stunned. Nikita backed up and charged in and hit Kokina with another clothesline. Kokina on wobbly legs. Nikita grabbed Kokina and whipped Kokina into the buckles. Nikita mounted the middle buckle over Kokina and fired away with head shots on the behemoth. Nikita dropped back to the mat. Kokina staggered out of the corner. Nikita grabbed Kokina, whipped Kokina into the ropes and caught Kokina coming off with a back elbow to the chest. Kokina fell back against the ropes. Nikita went to whip Kokina into the ropes but Kokina reversed and caught Nikita coming off with a Samoan drop. The life drained from Nikita. Both men down. Ref counting. Both men up and Kokina caught Nikita with an open-hand throat thrust. Kokina whipped Nikita into the corner and charged in and pulverized Nikita with an avalanche. Nikita staggered out of the corner, spun around and crashed to his back in the ring.

Kaissey picked up on a mic.

Kaissey: Finish him off!

Kokina went and positioned Nikita for his Bonzai drop (ass drop to the chest from the middle buckle) finisher.

Dundee: Wonder what Kaissey will have Nikita do first? Wash his car? Clean his crappers with a toothbrush?

Kokina on the middle buckle facing the crowd. Crowd buzzing.

Kokina came off with his Bonzai drop and Nikita rolled out of the way and Kokina crashed ass-first to the mat. Crowd roared.

Kokina down and hurting. Kaissey going crazy at ringside.

Nikita to his feet. A shaky Kokina to his feet. Kokina turned and walked right into Nikita's arms.

Nikita picked up Kokina and...

Pedicino: BODYSLAM! HE BODYSLAMMED KOKINA!

Crowd going nuts.

Nikita backed up and assumed the position.

A hurting and unsteady Kokina made it to his feet.

Nikita charged over and...

Pedicino: RUSSIAN SICKLE! RUSSIAN SICKLE!

Kokina crashed to the mat.

Nikita covered Kokina for the pin. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell.

Loudest pop of the night from the crowd.

A sore, tired Nikita up and the ref raised his hand victory.

Nikita looked over at the stunned Kaissey. As Nikita walked over to the corner in the ring and shook out the effects of the match, Kaissey wasn't waiting around. Kaissey started to leave the ringside area.

Nikita moved out of the corner and told Kaissey he owes him the money. Kaissey turned and waved to Nikita and prepared to take off with the money until...

The Trooper charged down the face aisle and came up behind Kaissey, spun Kaissey around and walloped Kaissey in the face. Masked Doc avoiding Trooper at all costs.

Trooper snatched the briefcase from a shaken Kaissey and took it into the ring, handed it to Nikita and raised Nikita's hand in victory to more crowd cheers.

WINNER: Nikita - Pinfall - 9:14

Graphic aired with the caption: NEXT... TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

Commercials

AWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Billy Jack Haynes & Scott Norton (WTTC) vs. Badd Company (w/ Mgr. DDP)

Badd Co. and manger DDP made their way down the heel aisle to strong boos.

DDP had his cane.

Champs Haynes & Norton made their way down the face aisle to a solid crowd reax.

Larry Nelson was standing center ring with mic in hand.

Nelson: This contest is scheduled for one fall with a 30-minute time-limit and is for the AWA World Tag Team Championship!

Introducing first, the challengers!

They are accompanied by their manager 'Diamond' Dallas Page!

Weighing in at a combined weight of 456 pounds... they are from Honolulu, Hawaii and Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada respectively... Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond... Badd Company!

Pretty strong boos as the trio briefly played to the crowd.

Nelson: And their opponents.

Weighing in at a combined 525 pounds... they are from the Pacific Northwest... they are the reigning AWA World Tag team Champions... Billy Jack Haynes and Scott Norton!

Crowd cheered as Haynes and Norton acknowledged the fans.

Nelson: Your referee is Mick Karch.

Ref took the titles form the champs and held them up for all to see and then handed them off to Larry Nelson.

Ref called both teams out to the middle of the ring, DDP accompanied Badd Co., and laid down the ground rules and patted each man down and then sent each team back to their corners.

DDP had final words for his team before leaving the ring for the floor.

Ref called for the bell.

Haynes and Diamond started for their teams. Diamond went to sweep Haynes leg but Haynes avoided Diamond and caught Diamond in a side headlock. Diamond shoved Haynes off and Haynes hit the ropes and Diamond dived down and Haynes jumped over Diamond and hit the ropes and came back and Diamond dived down again and Haynes hit the ropes and came back and Diamond went to hip toss Haynes but Haynes reversed and hip tossed Diamond. Diamond up and moved in and Haynes hip tossed Diamond again. Diamond up and Haynes caught Diamond with an arm drag and locked Diamond in an arm bar. Diamond down on the mat locked in the hold as Haynes knelt beside him. Haynes to his feet aand Diamond to his knees still locked in the hold. Diamond slowly made it to his feet locked in the hold. Haynes cinched up on the hold and Diamond winced. Diamond moved in the direction of Tanaka to make a tag but Haynes yanked Diamond away from his corner. Diamond still locked in the hold. Diamond reared back to punch Haynes but Haynes further cinched up on the hold and drove Diamond back down to a knee. Diamond slowly back up locked in the hold. Diamond managed to move close enough to the ropes and drape his arm out over the top rope to force a break in the hold. Diamond grabbing his left arm and moved to his corner as DDP jumped up on the apron and had words with his team. DDP dropped back to the floor as fans booed him for just existing. Diamond tagged in Tanaka. Tanaka came in and he and Haynes circled one another and Tanaka went for a spinning back heel kick to Haynes' head but Haynes ducked the move and came back with a gut shot followed by catching Tanaka in a front facelock. Haynes worked over the hold. Tanaka dropped to a knee and then yanked Haynes' left leg out from under him. Tanaka snapped back Haynes' left leg. Haynes hurting. Tanaka snapped Haynes up, whipped Haynes into the ropes and caught Haynes coming off with a backhand chop to the face. Haynes crashed to the mat and rolled over on his side by the ropes facing the crowd. Diamond started to step into the ring and Norton climbed in to go after Diamond but the ref intercepted Norton and ordered him back to his corner. While that was going on, DDP drove the head of his cane into the upper chest of Haynes. Norton and Diamond back into their respective corners. Tanaka snapped up Haynes and and whipped Haynes into the buckles. Haynes slammed into them staggered out of the corner and was hit with a rolling wheel kick. Haynes crashed to the mat. Tanaka for the cover. 1...2... Haynes kicked out. Tanaka up and kicked Haynes and snapped Haynes up and whipped Haynes into the ropes and looked to catch Haynes coming off with a clothesline but Haynes ducked the move and came back and nailed Tanaka with a clothesline of his own. Tanaka crashed to the mat. Crowd popped. Haynes snapped Tanaka up and whipped Tanaka into the face team's corner. Haynes moved in and struck Tanaka with a series of rapid-fire shoulder blocks to the gut and tagged in Norton. Norton in and caught Tanaka with a couple of head shots and whipped Tanaka into the buckles. Norton followed Tanaka with with an avalanche. Tanaka limp in the corner. Norton pulled Tanaka out of the corner, whipped Tanaka into the ropes and caught Tanaka coming off with a knee to the gut. Tanaka crashed to the mat. Norton snapped up Tanaka in the over-the-shoulder backbreaker submission hold. Tanaka fighting not to give up.

Diamond hit the ring and double sledged Norton in the back and Norton dropped Tanaka. Haynes hit the ring and attacked Diamond and nailed Diamond with some punches that drove Diamond out of the ring and to the floor and over to manager DDP. Haynes looked down at the dastardly pair from thje ring. Ref turned to check on the combatants in the ring. Haynes started having words with DDP. Haynes leaned out through the top and middle rope and started yelling at DDP. While distracted with DDP, Diamond quietly climbed back on the apron and came down the apron and kneed Haynes int the head. With the ref concentrating on the action in the ring, DDP hit Haynes in the top of the head with his cane. Haynes went limp and Diamond dropped to the floor pulled Haynes out of the ring and down to the floor. In the ring, Tanaka was on the offensive. Diamond back to his corner. Tanaka worked over Norton and went to whip Norton into the ropes but Norton reversed and caught Tanaka coming off with a powerslam. Norton for the pin. 1...2... Diamond hit the ring and stomped Norton in the back of the head to break up the pin try. On the floor, a woozy Haynes made it to his feet. DDP got cocky and went to strike Haynes with his cane a third time but Billy grabbed the cane, ripped it out of DDP's hand and slammed DDP across the gut with the cane. Haynes tossed the cane. Crowd cheered. DDP spun away from Haynes and Haynes moved in and caught DDP in the full nelson. Crowd really into it now. In the ring, Tanaka, once again after a save, was on the offensive. Ref left the ring for the floor to separate DDP and Norton. Tanaka on the offensive in the ring. Tanaka went to hit Norton with a German suplex but Norton resisted and caught Tanaka with a series of elbow strikes to the side of the head to free himself from the hold. Norton turned and tore into Tanaka with punches. Diamond hit the ring and Norton saw him and turned and peppered Diamond with punches and then slammed Diamond's and Tanaka's heads together as the fans cheered. Diamond crashed to the apron and rolled out on the mat. Ref still trying to keep Haynes from making DDP pass out in the full nelson. Norton then kicked the stunned Tanaka in the gut and hit Tanaka with a powerbomb. Crowd popped. Diamond had recovered enough and attacked Haynes on the floor to break up the full nelson on DDP. As that was going on, Norton had Tanaka pinned for several seconds. Crowd yelling at the ref to get back in the ring. Ref turned and saw Norton pinning Tanaka. Ref slid into the ring to count. 1...2...thr... Tanaka kicked out. Crowd pissed. The fighting between Diamond and Haynes had petered out on the floor and each man started going back to their corner. Norton snapped up Tanaka and locked Tanaka in front facelock and prepared to hit Tanaka with a swinging neckbreaker. Diamond climbed to the top rope behind Norton and came off with a forearm smash to the back. Haynes hit the ring to go after Diamond but the ref intercepted Haynes and ordered him back to his corner. As that happened, Tanaka kicked Norton in the gut and Norton fell back into Badd Co.'s corner. Diamond strangled Norton with the tag rope. The strangling party ended when the ref got Haynes to his corner and got back to the action. Tanaka tagged in Diamond. Diamond came in and popped Norton with head and body shots. Diamond snatched Norton out of the corner and nailed Norton with a gourdbuster. Diamond for the pin. 1...2... Norton kicked out. Diamond up and Norton to his knees and Diamond booted Norton in the chest. Diamond snapped up Norton and hit Norton with a double underhook suplex. DDP liking what he sees. Diamond went out on the apron and mounted the top buckle as Norton made it to his feet. Norton turned and Diamond came off with a double sledge to the head attempt but Norton clotheslined Diamond instead. Diamond crashed to the mat. Crowd popped big-time. Norton snapped up Diamond, whipped Diamond into the ropes and caught Diamond coming off with a kick to the gut followed by a neckbreaker. Norton for the cover. 1...2...thr... Tanaka hit the ring and made the save with a diving double sledge to the back to break up the pin.

Norton up and pointed at Haynes and the crowd cheered. Norton tagged in Haynes. Diamond went to punch Haynes but Haynes blocked the punch try and fired away on Diamond with punches. Haynes picked up Diamond and bodyslammed him and hit a diving leg drop on Diamond. Haynes for the cover. 1...2... Tanaka hit the ring but so did Norton. ...3! NO! Diamond got a shoulder up. Crowd groaned. Haynes pulled Diamond up by the hair and slammed Diamond's head into the top buckle repeatedly. Haynes then whipped Diamond into the opposite buckles and charged in but Diamond moved and Haynes crashed front-first into the buckles. Haynes slowly separated himself from the buckles turned and walked into a superkick out of nowhere by Diamond.

DDP picked up on mic.

DDP: New champions, baby!

Diamond for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Haynes kicked out. Crowd popped. DDP in shock. DDP laid his cane on the apron next to Tanaka and the announcers picked up on it. DDP went over and started yelling at Scott Norton. Ref went over and ordered DDP back over to his corner. Norton took the bait and dropped to the floor and went after DDP. Norton grabbed DDP. Fans cheering. Ref distracted with the action on the floor. In the ring, Diamond snapped up Haynes and grabbed Haynes from behind. Tanaka hit the ring with the cane. Tanaka raised it like a baseball bat and went to smash Haynes in the head with it but Haynes broke free and Tanaka smashed Diamond in the head instead. Crowd popped. Diamond crashed to the mat. Haynes grabbed the cane from the shocked Tanaka and smashed Tanaka in the head with the cane. Tanaka crashed to the mat, rolled out of the ring and crashed to the floor. Crowd delirious. On the floor, Norton dropped DDP with a punch and went back to his corner. Haynes circled around behind Diamond as Diamond made it to his feet in a shaky fashion. Ref turned back to the action in the ring. Diamond up and Haynes locked Diamond in the his full nelson finisher. Diamond not in the hold for very long before submitting. Ref called for the bell as Diamond shook his head frantically that he gave up. Crowd roaring. Haynes let Diamond go and Diamond crumpled to the mat.

Nelson up on the apron and the ref went over and took the belts from Nelson and had a few words with Nelson. Ref went over and handed the titles to the champs and raised Haynes' and Norton's hands in victory.

Nelson: In a time of 13 minutes, 22 seconds, your winners... and STILL AWA World Tag Team Champions... Scott Norton and Billy Jack Haynes!!!

Crowd cheered.

Haynes and Norton left the ring with their titles slung over their shoulders and headed back up the face aisle the victors.

WINNER: Haynes & Norton - Submission - 13:22

Graphic aired with the caption: NEXT... WORLD TITLE CLASH!!!

Commercials

Announcers Joe Pedicino and Bill Dundee announced a change coming to the AWA on ESPN. Starting in January, the show will now be called AWA SLAM! Wrestling.

They then sent it to the ring.

AWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Wahoo McDaniel (C) vs. Col. DeBeers

Col. DeBeers made his way down the heel aisle to strong boos and garbage thrown in his direction.

Once in the ring, DeBeers did the mustache twirl and more trash headed his way.

AWA WC Wahoo McDaniel made his way down the face aisle to a loud ovation,

In-ring: Larry Nelson.

Nelson: This is our main event of the evening!

Crowd buzzing.

Nelson: This match is scheduled for one-fall with a 60-minute time-limit and is for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship!

Crowd cheered.

Nelson: Introducing first, the challenger.

Loud boos.

Nelson: Weighing in at 268 pounds... from Cape Town, South Africa... Col. DeBeers!

More intense booing from the crowd.

DeBeers stood in his corner and showed no reaction.

Nelson: And his opponent!

Boos turned to loud cheers.

Nelson: Weighing in at 261 pounds... he hails from Midland, Texas... he is the reigning AWA World Heavyweight Champion... 'Chief' Wahoo McDaniel!

Strong cheers for Wahoo.

Nelson: Your referee is Gary DeRusha!

Announcers said that ESPN will allow this match to air from start to finish.

Ref took the title from Wahoo and held it up for all to see before handing it off to Larry Nelson.

Ref called both men to the center of the ring. Wahoo and DeBeers were glaring at one another. Ref laid down the ground rules and patted each man down and sent each man back to his corner.

Announcers said these men had strong disdain for one another and that this match was for much more than just the belt. It was about right vs. wrong on a level rarely seen in pro wrestling.

Ref called for the bell.

The two men came to the center of the ring ring and were jawing at one another. Suddenly, DeBeers turned like he was going to walk away from Wahoo but quickly turned and went to punch Wahoo but Wahoo blocked the punch try and fired away on DeBeers with chest chops. Wahoo whipped DeBeers into the corner and moved in and blistered DeBeers with open hand chest chops. DeBeers staggered out of the corner holding his chest. Wahoo with a chop to the back of DeBeers' neck. Wahoo whipped DeBeers into the ropes and DeBeers grabbed the top rope, dropped down, rolled out of the ring and dropped to the floor. DeBeers walking around on the floor. Wahoo trying to get out of the ring and go after DeBeers but the ref kept blocking him. Ref ordered Wahoo back. Ref started the 10-count as DeBeers stayed on the floor. DeBeers started to walk around the ring and Wahoo got tired of waiting and bolted the ring and came up behind DeBeeers, spun DeBeers aroud and hit DeBeers with more chest chops. Wahoo grabbed DeBeers and slammed his head into the top of the steel ringside barricade three times. DeBeers in a bad way. DeBeers started to stagger off and Wahoo grabbed DeBeers and threw DeBeers into the ring steps. DeBeers went down on the floor. Wahoo quickly rolled out in and out of the ring to break the 10 count. Wahoo snapped DeBeers up and DeBeers stunned Wahoo by grabbing him around the waist and ramming Wahoo back-first into the ring apron. DeBeers moved in and caught Wahoo with punches. DeBeers whipped Wahoo into the ringside barricade. Wahoo hurting standing next to the barricade. Ref counting. DeBeers climbed into the ring and broke the count. DeBeers stepped out on the ring apron and jumped off and hit Wahoo with a double sledge to the top of the head. Wahoo down to a knee. DeBeers booted Wahoo in the ribs, snapped Wahoo up and threw Wahoo into the post. Wahooo's head hit the post and Wahoo stumbled off and went down. Ref counting. DeBeers went over and grabbed Wahoo and slammed Wahoo's head three times into the ring apron. DeBeers picked up Wahoo and bodyslammed Wahoo on the floor. DeBeers climbed up on the apron and jumped off and nailed Wahoo with a jumping stomp to the gut. Wahoo in bad shape. DeBeers quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count. DeBeers grabbed the downed Wahoo and slammed his head into the concrete floor. DeBeers snapped up Wahoo and went to whip Wahoo into the barricade but Wahoo reversed and sent DeBeers crashing into the barricade. Ref counting. Wahoo moved in on DeBeers and blasted DeBeers, not with chops, but with punches. Crowd cheering for Wahoo. Wahoo slammed DeBeers' head into the ring apron and then threw DeBeers back into the ring. Wahoo climbed in the ring. DeBeers up and begging off as an angry Chief stalked him. DeBeers backed himself into the corner. Wahoo once again laid into DeBeers with punches followed by knife-edge chest chops. DeBeers stunned. Wahoo hit DeBeers with an overhead chop. DeBeers suddenly reached down and pulled Wahoo's legs out from under him and went for the pin. 1... DeBeers placed his feet on the middle rope for leverage. ...2...thr... Wahoo got a shoulder up. DeBeers got his feet off the middle rope just before the ref looked over. DeBeers tried to pin Wahoo again. 1... DeBeers again got his feet on the middle rope for leverage. ...2...thr... Ref looked over and saw DeBeers' feet on the middle rope and ordered a break. DeBeers took his feet off the middle rope and Wahoo stunned DeBeers by catching him in a small package for the pin. 1...2...thr.. DeBeers kicked out. Crowd groaned.

Both men to their feet and DeBeers hit Wahoo with a punch and Wahoo retaliated with a knife-edge chest chop. The two then engaged in a punch-chop exchange and Wahoo gained the upper hand and tore into DeBeers with more chops. DeBeers stunned. Wahoo suplexed DeBeers and hit DeBeers with a diving chop to the head. Wahoo for the pin. 1...2...thr... DeBeers got a shoulder up. Crowd groaned. Wahoo pulled DeBeers up by the hair and nailed DeBeers with a belly-to-back suplex. DeBeers up and Wahoo moved in and DeBeers caught Wahoo with a knee to the gut. DeBeers hit Wahoo with a bionic elbow to the head and then ran, hit the ropes and came off with a running punch to the head. Wahoo crashed to the mat. DeBeers with a knee drop to Wahoo's head. Wahoo hurting. DeBeers snapped Wahoo up and whipped Wahoo into the ropes and caught Wahoo coming off with a back elbow to the cheest. Wahoo crashed to the mat. DeBeers for the cover. 1..2... Wahoo got his foot on the bottom rope. Ref patted DeBeers on the back. DeBeers got up thinking he'd won. DeBeers threw his arms in the air. Ref came over and yanked down one of DeBeers' arms and waved off the pin. DeBeers started to have words with the ref. Wahoo recovered and rose to his feet behind DeBeers. DeBeeers stopped arguing with the ref and and turned and Wahoo tore into DeBeers with knife-edge chops as the crowd roar grew. Wahoo whipped DeBeers into the corner and DeBeers bounced out and was greeted with a clothesline from Wahoo. DeBeers crashed to the mat and Wahoo dropped down on top of DeBeers and started hammering the Colonel with punches and then started pounding the back of DeBeers' head on the mat. Crowd cheering. Wahoo snapped DeBeers up by the hair, did his war dance and nailed DeBeers with an overhead chop. DeBeers crashed to the mat. Wahoo grabbed DeBeers and went to whip DeBeers into the corner but DeBeers reversed and sent Wahoo crashing into the buckles. Wahoo staggered out of the corner and DeBeers slugged Wahoo and went to catch Wahoo in a backslide but Wahoo resisted and reversed the hold and caught DeBeers in a backslide for the pin. 1...2...3! No! DeBeers kicked out. Wahoo went to snap up DeBeers but DeBeers caught Wahoo with a series of gut shots. DeBeers up and caught Wahoo in a side headlock. Ref standing close to see if the headlock turns into a choke. Wahoo suddenly shoved DeBeers off and DeBeers headbutted the ref. Ref crashed to the mat by the ropes and was face down. DeBeers staggered. Wahoo grabbed DeBeers, whipped DeBeers into the ropes and caught DeBeers coming off with his big chop finisher. Crowd erupted as DeBeers crashed to the mat. Wahoo for the cover. Crowd on their feet yelling for the ref to recover. In frustration, Wahoo counted three himself. Wahoo got up and went over and checked on the ref. Like in his match with Nikita, DeBeers managed to recover enough to come up behind Wahoo and hit a low blow with his forearm. Wahoo crashed to the mat holding the goods. DaRusha still down. DeBeers went to a corner, knelt down facing the buckles and reached into the side pocket of his camo pants and pulled out something. Crowd on edge.

Suddenly, Don Muraco, still in his ring attire, came charging down the face aisle with a folded steel chair in hand. Muraco climbed into the ring.

DeBeers had placed a powdery substance into his hand.

Announcers pointed out that Muraco was steamed as DeBeers defeated Muraco by holding the tights in the tournament to decide who would get the title shot tonight, thus costing Muraco a possible chance to face Wahoo for the belt.

Muraco raised the chair up and was facing DeBeers. DeBeers to his feet and turned an walked a couple of steps out of the corrner and saw Muraco. DeBeers, stunned, dropped the powder he had in his hand on the mat, Muraco and DeBeers looking at one another. Wahoo slowly made it to his feet. Wahoo up and...

WHAM!

Muraco spun around and bashed Wahoo over the head with the chair. Wahoo crumpled back to the mat. Crowd furious. Muraco looked down at Wahoo and then turned and left the ring and disappeared to the back with chair in tow. DaRusha stirring. DeBeers grabbed DaRusha and pulled him over by Wahoo. DeBeers immediately dropped down and covered Wahoo and hooked Wahoo's outside leg to make sure Wahoo could not get his foot on the bottom rope again. A groggy DaRusha counted. 1.....2.....3! DaRusha called for th bell as the fans exploded in anger. DeBeers to his feet. Ref DaRusha went over and took the belt from Nelson and talked briefly with him.

DaRusha went over and raised DeBeers' hand in victory and handed him the belt as garbage bombed the ring. Whatever cheering fans of DeBeers did was drowned out by the angry response from the overwhelming majority of the crowd.

Nelson: In a time of 12 minutes, 24 seconds, your winner... and NEW AWA World Heavyweight Champion... Col. DeBeers!

Fan anger grew. Two fans jumped the steel barricade and tried to get at DeBeers in the ring but security was able to stop them before they could get to the new champion.

Announcers wrapped up the show. Shot of heavy security having to lead DeBeers from the ring back up the heel aisle as garbage continued to be thrown at DeBeers and the ring.

Pedicino: Darkness has fallen on the AWA.

WINNER: DeBeers - Pinfall - 12:24

END PROGRAM

ATTENDANCE: 4,372

The attendance had to be a major disappointment. Was it a backlash over the AWA announcement that they were moving their base of operations out of Minneapolis to Las Vegas?

No matter what led to the small house, another problem was about to arise that could shake the company to its very foundation.