Chad's AWA

[Chad Olson]

I'm getting back into playing LOW and I've dusted off my AWA fed, which I've played on and off (mostly off) since LOW debuted. Right now, I'm on card #35, which has my biggest angles unfolding. In order to catch people up, I'm going to start with my league from card #1. (Besides, gives me more opportunity to get my newest results typed up!)

My fed covers the huge territory that was the AWA, the West Coast all the way east to Hammond, Indiana. You might see an eventual card in Hawaii, where Verne was known to send the boys for a "working vacation". And there's a five card series from the Carribean, when I visited Cory back in 2004. To keep everything flowing, I've renumbered my past results with a starting date of November 2005, to show about a year and a half of a timeline. I run two shows a months most of the time.

Like everyone else starting with LOW, there's an abundance of heels, so you'll see some heel vs. heel matchups at the beginning and some lines that are kind of blurry.

[Chad Olson]

AWA Card #1
11/24/2005
The Cow Palace, San Fransisco, CA

The American Wrestling Association made its’ big debut out on the West Coast at the historic Cow Palace in San Fransisco, CA! A capacity crowd packed the Cow Palace on Thanksgiving night to watch the world’s best grapplers battle in the first round of the AWA World Championship Tournament!

1. Killer Kowalski b. Nikita Breznikov
One of the top contenders in the upcoming Americas Title tournament took on the manager of the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. Despite Volkoff’s interference, Kowalski quickly got the win with the CLAW HOLD.

2. Playboy Buddy Rose b. Gorgeous George
This bout featured two competitors who thought a lot of themselves, despite the fans not caring much for either. It was a back and forth bout that saw Rose gain the advantage at the end, and get the duke with his BOMBS AWAY. Following the bout, Jimmy Valiant, who is scheduled to face Rose & Jimmy Snuka in a tag tourney match on Card #2, clobbered Rose with a huge chair shot. Rose was bloodied and had to be helped back to the dressing room.

3. Ox Baker b. The Sandman by DQ
As expected, this match quickly became a wild, out of control brawl. The plunder was flying in this match, and after referee Gary DeRusha took Sandman’s cane away, he DQ’d the Sandman for bringing a chair into the ring.

4. Nick Bockwinkel & Harley Race b. Red Bastien & The Destroyer
This match had the potential to be a technical display, and the fans were not disappointed. The advantage went back and forth, but Bock took the Destroyer out with a wicked ringpost shot. The Intelligent, Sensational One was busted open and bled heavily through his mask. With the Destroyer laid out on the ring apron, Bock & Race were able to work over Bastien and eventually Race pinned him with a perfectly executed fisherman’s suplex.

5. Jimmy Snuka b. Jimmy Valiant
Snuka was fired up after the attack on his partner and tore into Valiant at the bell. He quickly overpowered the “Handsome One” and flattened him with a SUPERFLY LEAP.

6. WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff b. Animal & Hawk
Yep, you read that one right. Despite an early beating, the Sheik & Volkoff staged a big comeback and worked over Hawk with finishers. Having weakened his back, the Iron Sheik strapped on the CAMEL CLUTCH and Hawk had no choice but to submit. The foreign duo move on to face the winners of the Snuka & Rose vs. the Valiants at card #4 in Omaha, NE.

7. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Dick Hutton b. Giant Baba
A great match which showcased each grappler’s wrestling skills and no outside brawling. While Baba delivered a suplex, Hutton’s feet hit the referee, temporarily sending him to the canvas. Baba leveled Hutton with two NECKBREAKER DROPS, but the official was still down. Hutton was able to regain the momentum, and pinned Baba with an ABDOMINAL STRETCH dropped into a cradle. This time, referee Larry Lisowski was conscious and able to make the call. Both men shook hands after the match, to the cheers of the fans.

8. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Buddy Rogers b. Johnny Valentine
The main event of the first AWA show delivers a ***** match. This was an amazing match with lots of back and forth action. At one point, Valentine dropped four ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHERS on Rogers in succession, but was unable to get the pinfall. Rogers was nearly blinded by the bloody in his eyes, and Gary DeRusha repeatedly checked the cut. Fans were buzzing fearing this one would be stopped on a blood call. Rogers fought back and trapped Valentine in his FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE, but Valentine made the ropes. After an out of the ring exchange, Rogers blasted Valentine with a flying knee smash and got the victory to move on in the tournament.

Great debut from the American Wrestling Association! Our next stop in this cross country journey is Las Vegas, and the beautiful Showboat Sports Pavillion. The legendary Frank A. Gotch makes his AWA debut in the World Championship tournament against the dangerous Harley Race. Can Nick Bockwinkel take advantage of the Destroyer’s weakened state in their tourney match? Hawk looks to get revenge against the Iron Sheik. Plus, another tag title tourney match with the Valiants against Snuka & Rose!

[stephenvegas]

Chad I think it is awesome that we now get your AWA fed results on this board.

Looking forward to your next card with Gotch vs Race and Hawk vs the Iron Sheik from Las Vegas- one of the most important cities that was in the AWA's large territory.

[TDalton]

Wow, you and I both had the same main event on our very first card! Great minds DO think alike! Different result for me though.

No one can say you're the best LOW promoter that never plays the game anymore!

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #2
11/27/2005
Las Vegas, Showboat Sports Pavillion

The AWA continued the march across its’ huge territory with a stop in Las Vegas, at the Showboat Sports Pavillion. World Title Tournament matches in the singles and tag division awaited, along with the announcement of the bracketing for the Americas Title. Let’s get to ringside with Ron Trongard and Marty O’Neil.

1. Ox Baker & Killer Kowalski b. Nikolai Volkoff & Nikita Breznikov
Volkoff wanted to gain revenge for his manager, who was demolished by Kowalski on the last card. Baker just likes a good fight, and was happy to help his partner out. This wasn’t much of a match, with Kowalski trapping Breznikov in the CLAW HOLD once again and putting his shoulders to the mat.

2. Hawk b. Iron Sheik
A wise man once said, “It’s not nice to fool with the Legion of Doom”. That was evident here, as Hawk made quick work of the Iron Sheik, pinning him with a FLYING CLOTHESLINE.

3. Animal b. King Kong Bundy
Fans held their collective breath as two of the biggest competitors in the AWA threatened to tear down the Showboat! Animal was able to take Bundy off his feet twice, and then stunned the crowd by executing his POWER SLAM. It wasn’t the full rotation fans were used to, but it was enough to get the three count on Bundy.

4. Bobo Brazil b. Gorgeous George
The always popular Brazil made his AWA debut against the Human Orchid, Gorgeous George. George showed he could wrestle in this one, taking down Brazil and tying him up on the mat. Brazil battled back, and used his deadly COCO BUTT on more than one occasion to stun George. Brazil got the win after another COCO BUTT, leaving George crumpled on the mat with Cheri Dupree to console him.

During the intermission, the brackets for the Americas Title Tournament were announced by promoter Wally Karbo. Six of the eight competitors were present in Vegas and joined Karbo in the ring. Greg Valentine and Ted DiBiase, scheduled to compete next in a tag match, would battle it out in Denver, CO, at card #3. The Sandman and Red Bastien will also meet in Denver, in what is sure to be a clash of styles. Bobo Brazil and the mammoth King Kong Bundy will square off in Omaha, NE. Tag partners Killer Kowalski and Ox Baker were outraged to learn they would be facing each other in a first round match, also in Omaha! They tried to file a protest with Karbo, but he mumbled something about meeting up with Jessica and Cricket and shuffled out of the ring.

5. Johnny & Greg Valentine b. Ted DiBiase & Virgil
It was rumored that DiBiase won thousands of dollars at the craps tables the previous evening. Perhaps lugging all of that money around wore out his bodyguard Virgil. Johnny was not in a good mood after his World Title Tournament loss, and dropped an ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER on Virgil for the victory.

6. WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Jimmy & Johnny Valiant b. Jimmy Snuka & Playboy Buddy Rose
The Valiant Brothers squared off against the Pacific Northwest duo of Jimmy Snuka & Playboy Buddy Rose. Rose sported a bandage on his head, thanks to the chair attack by Jimmy at the last show. The Valiants targeted Rose’s cut, and quickly PBR was spilling buckets of blood. Snuka & Rose battled back, and had Johnny down for a pinfall at one point, but the siblings’ skills were too much. With Rose weakened after 6 pin attempts, Snuka was blasted with a double clothesline and the Valiants advanced to the finals to face the Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff.

7. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Nick Bockwinkel b. The Destroyer
Coming into the match with a mild concussion, the Destroyer could have rolled over and quickly got out of this one. But, that would be neither sensational nor intelligent (maybe that last one’s debatable!) with the World Heavyweight Championship at stake. Both men wanted to advance in the AWA World Title tourney, so they tore into each other with reckless abandon. Bock had the most pinfalls, but the match was very close. Finally, the Destroyer succumbed to Bock’s version of the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK.

8. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Frank A. Gotch b. Harley Race
The highly heralded Frank A. Gotch took on fellow Midwesterner Harley Race in our main event. The two exchanged holds on the mat early on, in a display which had fans on the edge of their seats. Gotch was able to control the match later on, and made Race submit to his dreaded GOTCH TOEHOLD for the victory. Gotch extended his hand in a show of sportsmanship, and Race begrudgingly shook it.

Another spectacular night of AWA action, as the second round of the World Title tournament starts to take shape. McNichols Arena in Denver, CO, is the site of card #3 and the semifinals of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship tournament. Frank A. Gotch will square off against Nick Bockwinkel and Richard Hutton faces Buddy Rogers. The Americas Title tournament kicks off with two first round matches, plus the Road Warriors, Giant Baba, Harley Race, and the Valiants all are in action. It may be December in Denver, but it’s going to be HOT!

[Cory Olson]

Great stuff, brother! Glad to see you putting your stuff up here. Keep it coming!

[wildcat]

AWESOME ! Chad's AWA is here and I'm a fan . Keep 'em comin' and hopefully no ref strikes .

[Chad Olson]

Some of these results are three years old, Kev. There's been a big wrestler's strike going on!

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #3
12/11/2005
McNichols Arena, Denver, CO

1. Virgil b. Jimmy Snuka
Yes, you read that correctly. Snuka took it to Virgil early, but a chair smash by Ted DiBiase allowed Virgil to clamp on the COBRA CLUTCH and get the three arm drop for the victory. Snuka has promised revenge!

2. Giant Baba & the Destroyer b. Harley Race & King Kong Bundy
The team of Japanese legends took on Harley Race and his protégé. The advantage went back and forth, with neither team gaining the upper hand. Race mounted the top rope for a knee drop, but the Destroyer got out of the way, sending Race crashing to the mat. The Destroyer clamped on the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK and got the submission victory for his team.

3. Animal & Hawk b. Killer Kowalski & Ox Baker
After their first round loss in the World Tag Title Tournament, the Road Warriors were not in a good mood. Baker & Kowalski may have had their minds on their upcoming match against each other, as the Warriors jumped them at the bell and never looked back. Baker was busted open and turned inside out with the DOOMSDAY DEVICE for the pinfall.

4. AMERICAS TITLE TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
The Sandman b. Red Bastein
Fan favorite Red Bastein took on the cane swinging Sandman. Both men are looking to establish themselves in the singles scene in the AWA. The Sandman was able to pop Bastein with his SINGAPORE CANE when referee Larry Lisowski’s back was turned and get the victory.

5. AMERICAS TITLE TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Ted DiBiase b. Greg Valentine
During the match, Jimmy Snuka ran to ringside and attempted to exact revenge on DiBiase. Snuka mistimed his head butt and he KO’d Valentine with it. DiBiase clamped on the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM and Valentine’s arm dropped three times. An angry Johnny Valentine hit the ring and exchanged blows with Snuka while DiBiase beat a hasty retreat to the dressing room.

6. Gorgeous George & the Valiant Brothers b. Iron Shiek, Nikolai Volkoff, & Nikita Breznikov
This match served as a preview to the World Tag Title finals at card #4 in Omaha, NE. The Sheik was quickly brutalized in the corner and was soon covered with blood. Volkoff was able to battle back for his team, but made the mistake of tagging out to an overconfident Breznikov. Jimmy Valiant was playing possum, and popped Nikita with a foreign object unbeknownst to referee Gary DeRusha. An easy three count followed, and the finalists issued threats back and forth before the officials broke things up.

7. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP -- SEMIFINALS
Buddy Rogers b. Richard Hutton
A great back and forth match in the first semifinal bout for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Hutton wore Rogers down with his ABDOMINAL STRETCH and suplexes, and clamped on a sleeperhold. Rogers staggered over to the corner and kicked off, sending both combatants to the mat. Rogers end up on top, and scored the controversial pinfall, earning a spot in the tournament final at card #5 in St. Paul, MN.

8. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – SEMIFINALS
Frank A. Gotch b. Nick Bockwinkel
Bockwinkel’s skills were no match for the technical master, Frank A. Gotch. Gotch controlled the match on the mat, clamping on the GOTCH TOEHOLD and his rolling knee bar. Bock was able to reach the ropes while trapped in Gotch’s submissions, but his luck ran out when Gotch caught him in a crossface and arm bar in the center of the ring. Gotch cranked the hold on and Bock had no choice but to submit.

The die is cast! Frank A. Gotch will meet Buddy Rogers in St. Paul, MN, at card #5 for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship! But first, the AWA stops in Omaha, NE, with the World Tag Title finals between the Valiants and Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Shiek. Also at card #4, two more matches in the Americas Title Tournament, plus the Valentines, Harley Race, Jimmy Snuka, and Red Bastien in action.

[Chad Olson]

AWA Card #4
12/18/2005
Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE

The AWA pulls into Omaha, NE, for more Americas Title Tournament action, and a preview of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship finals. Plus, the AWA World Tag Team Championship will be decided when the Valiants meet the Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff!

1. Red Bastein b. Playboy Buddy Rose
Bastein finally picked up a win over the “Playboy”. Bastein, who has been struggling since entering the AWA, looked fired up and ready to riot. He nailed Rose with his ATOMIC DROP for the three count.

2. The Destroyer b. Nikita Breznikov
The Destroyer made quick work of the Russian manager. He blasted for Breznikov with a standing dropkick and got the pin in 15 seconds!

3. Johnny & Greg Valentine b. Nick Bockwinkel & Ted DiBiase - DQ
Greg Valentine and Ted DiBiase brought their feud from the last card to Omaha. DiBiase advanced in the Americas Title tournament due to botched interference by Jimmy Snuka. The Valentines jumped DiBiase & Bock at the bell and were hammering them outside the ring. Greg and DiBiase made their way back into the ring and started exchanging wrestling holds. Greg trapped DiBiase in the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK and it appeared he was on the verge of submitting when Bock grabbed referee Larry Lisowski and pitched him over the top rope. Bock then dropped a big elbow on Greg while Virgil and Johnny were in a slugfest. As Johnny got the better of Virgil and went after Bock, Lisowski called for the bell and DQ’d DiBiase & Bock for abusing an official.

4. Frank A. Gotch & Dick Hutton b. Buddy Rogers & Jimmy Snuka - DQ
The finalists in the AWA World Title tournament met in this tag match. Rogers promised to “soften up” Gotch for the tournament finals. Hutton looked to avenge his semifinal loss against Rogers. Snuka has a strange relationship with the fans. When wrestling solo, he is definitely a crowd favorite. When teaming with Rogers or Buddy Rose, the crowd is usually split. When Rogers got rough with Gotch outside the ring, Snuka was reluctant to engage Hutton in the same manner. Rogers blasted Gotch’s knee with two chair shots and referee Gary DeRusha had no choice but to call for the DQ. Will Rogers’ cheap shots pay off?

5. AMERICAS TITLE TOURAMENT – ROUND ONE
Killer Kowalski b. Ox Baker
Tag team partners met up in the first round of the Americas Title Tournament. Both men voiced their displeasure to promoter Wally Karbo when this pairing was announced, but their protests fell on deaf ears. Kowalski wanted to get this over with, so he quickly got the advantage on Baker. Kowalski used his CLAW HOLD to pin Baker, then helped his partner to his feet and gave him a hug, to the jeers and catcalls of the capacity crowd.

6. AMERICAS TITLE TOURNAMENT – ROUND ONE
Bobo Brazil b. King Kong Bundy
Brazil and Bundy, two monsters of the mat, hit the ring trying to advance in the Americas Title Tournament. They exchanged some heavy duty blows, but Brazil was able to gain the advantage as the match wore on. He staggered Bundy with a pair of COCO BUTTS en route to the pinfall victory.

7. Harley Race b. Giant Baba
This longtime rivalry from Japan made its way to the AWA. Baba was able to control the action inside the ring, but Race took advantage of a ringside brawl and swing the momentum in his favor. He wore Baba down with his variety of suplexes and a diving headbutt, and then used the PILEDRIVER to get the win.

8. AWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT – FINALS
Jimmy & Johnny Valiant b. Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik
Who would emerge the first AWA World Tag Team Champions? Could the Valiants ride the momentum of their six man victory over the foreigners into championship gold, or would the nefarious duo and their evil manager reign supreme? The Sheik struck first, blasting Jimmy with his loaded boot, and crushing him with a big sidewinder suplex. Volkoff came in to continue the onslaught. The tag action went back and forth, with the Valiants busting the Sheik open after their TOP ROPE ELBOW. The Sheik managed to tag out to Volkoff, but a missed buckle charge put the Valiants back in charge. Jimmy plastered Volkoff with the TOP ROPE ELBOW and Johnny hooked the tights for the cover and the victory. The Valiant Brothers are your new AWA World Tag Team Champions!

Wow! What a night in Omaha! Who will be the Valiants’ first challengers? More importantly, what effect did Buddy Rogers’ attack have on Frank A. Gotch? Who will win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on Christmas night in St. Paul, MN?

[Dustin Neal]

I'll be reading this for sure, Chad!

[Chad Olson]

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I just moved into a new house and it's a very busy time of the year at work. Here's some more highlights from the AWA, the American Wrestling Association.

AWA Card #5
12/25/2005
St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN

This is it fans! The AWA World Heavyweight Champion is crowned tonight! Enough talk, let’s get right to the action…..

1. Jimmy Snuka & Buddy Rose b. Nick Bockwinkel & Virgil
Jimmy Snuka looked to get revenge against Virgil, who scored the big upset with the help of Ted DiBiase. Nick Bockwinkel didn’t appear to be too excited to be teaming with his partner’s flunkie. Bock started off by tearing into Buddy Rose, getting a near fall after a piledriver. Snuka tagged in and squared off with Virgil, flattening him with a SUPERFLY LEAP and gaining the three count.

2. Red Bastein b. Ox Baker
Both men have struggled as of late and were looking to gain a foothold in the singles rankings. After a back and forth struggle, Bastein was able to get the victory with his ATOMIC DROP. Could a potential Americas title shot be down the line?

3. Animal & Hawk b. Nikolai Volkoff & Nikita Breznikov
The Road Warriors continue to seek revenge against the trio who upset them in the first round of the tag team tourney. The two teams exchanged blows, with Volkoff matching power with Animal in the center of the ring. Animal battled back and stunned Volkoff, forcing him to tag to an overmatched Nikita Breznikov. Hawk tagged in and shoved a DOOMSDAY DEVICE down Nikita’s throat for the victory.

4. AMERICAS TITLE TOURNAMENT – ROUND TWO
Bobo Brazil b. Killer Kowalski
Who would win this battle of giants and advance to the Americas Title finals in Chicago on 2/6/06? Brazil was ready for action and dominated the match, not allowing Kowalski to gain any advantage. After bouncing Kowalski around the ring, a COCO BUTT leveled the Killer for the pinfall. Bobo faced the winner of the next match.

5. AMERICAS TITLE TOURAMENT – ROUND TWO
Ted DiBiase b. The Sandman
Talk about a contrast of wrestling philosophies and lifestyles! The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase, squared off against the beer drinking, cane swinging, Sandman. The Sandman jumped DiBiase at the bell, sending the crowd into a frenzy. DiBiase battled back and was able to wear the Sandman down with his superior wrestling ability. DiBiase got the pinfall with a beautiful power slam, and following the match, Virgil was seen giving the Sandman a large envelope of cash, to which the Sandman exclaimed, “It’s Happy Hour!”

6. The Destroyer b. Harley Race
A great technical match, mixed with a little brawling, provided one of the best matches of the evening for the St. Paul faithful. Both grapplers exchanged holds and suplexes, trying to wear each other down. The Destroyer was able to keep Race down with his FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK for the submission victory.

7. AWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Valiants b. the Valentines
Christmas night in St. Paul was truly a family affair, as the Valiant Brothers defended their newly won AWA World Tag Team titles against the father and son combo of Johnny & Greg Valentine. Another hard hitting matchup, mixing rough tactics and scientific wrestling. Johnny Valentine and Johnny Valiant exchanged heavy blows in the middle of the ring, which had the fans on the edge of their seats. The Valiants were able to smuggle in a foreign object that they used to bust open Johnny. The end came Jimmy decked Greg with his SUPER ELBOW to get the pin. Back in the dressing room, the Valentines challenged the Valiants to a pair of singles matches in Milwaukee, WI.

8. AWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – FINAL ROUND
Buddy Rogers b. Frank A. Gotch
Gotch came down to the ring with his knee heavily bandaged as a result of Rogers’ attack in Omaha. Gotch wouldn’t give in and attempted to get Rogers to the mat to apply one of his feared submission holds. Rogers was able to get the action out of the ring, and with referee Larry Lisowski distracted by Buddy Rose, he wrapped Gotch’s leg around the ringpost. Rogers assaulted the knee some more before locking in the FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE. Gotch refused to give up, but passed out from the pain, enabling Rogers to get the pinfall and became the AWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Buddy Rogers gets his Christmas wish in the form of a championship belt! Who will be the first challenger? The Valiants accepted the Valentines challenge, so Greg Valentine will meet Johnny Valiant, and Johnny Valentine will meet Jimmy Valiant. The Americas Title finalists will square off in tag action, as Bobo Brazil & Red Bastien battle Ted DiBiase & Virgil. All this, plus appearances by Dick Hutton, Giant Baba, and Gorgeous George!

[Chad Olson]

In an effort to get caught up with my current happenings, I'm going to start posting abridged results. These will resemble the NWF retro results Tim put up last week. WrestleRock 2007 is around the corner, and I want to get you all caught up with it!

[Chad Olson]

AWA Card #6
1/22/2006
Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, WI

1. Greg Valentine b. Johnny Valiant *** ½
2. Animal b. Nikolai Volkoff ** ½
3. The Destroyer b. Gorgeous George *
4. Killer Kowalski & Ox Baker b. Jimmy Snuka & Playboy Buddy Rose – COR DUD
5. King Kong Bundy b. Giant Baba ** ¾
6. Johnny Valentine b. Jimmy Valiant *** ½
7. Nick Bockwinkel b. Richard Hutton *** ¾
8. Bobo Brazil & Red Bastein b. Ted DiBiase & Virgil *** ¼

Summary: The Valentines earned another tag title shot as a result of their singles victories of the Valiants. The Road Warriors/Sheik & Volkoff feud heated up with this singles match. Playboy Buddy Rose got dropped with a heart punch outside of the ring and was counted out of the ring. Fans were stunned when Bundy hit Baba with the AVALANCHE for the five count. Bock put 6 PAs on Hutton before getting the pin with a stun gun. The main event saw the Americas Title finalists meeting in tag action. Unfortunately, they never got in the ring with each other! Red got pummeled early, but Brazil made the hot tag to pin Virgil with the COCO BUTT.

[Chad Olson]

AWA Card #7
2/5/2006
International Amphitheater, Chicago, IL

1. Gorgeous George b. King Kong Bundy *** ½
2. Playboy Buddy Rose b. Ox Baker **
3. Killer Kowalski b. the Sandman **
4. Jimmy Snuka b. Nikolai Volkoff ** ¼
5. Giant Baba & the Destroyer b. Frank A. Gotch & Richard Hutton *****
6. Harley Race b. the Iron Sheik **
7. AWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – Greg & Johnny Valentine b. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant to win titles *** ½
8. AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP – TOURNAMENT FINALS – Bobo Brazil b. Ted DiBiase to win title ****

Summary: Chicago was treated to a spectacular card, probably the best in AWA history at that time. George shocked ringside fans by making Bundy submit to his figure four leglock. Rose got revenge on Baker, sticking him with the BOMBS AWAY. The scientific tag encounter got a little heated, leading to some brawling, but it was clean for the most part. All four men were busted open, as 20 PAs were scored. The Destroyer finally forced Hutton to submit to his version of the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. The combatants exchanged handshakes to the thunderous applause of the fans. The Valiants were no match for the team work of the Valentines, as both Jimmy & Johnny were busted open. Greg & Johnny took no PAs as Johnny Valentine dropped his ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER on Jimmy Valiant for the victory. Brazil grabbed the Americas Title in a great back and forth matchup over DiBiase. His close friend Red Bastien was in his corner to help keep an eye on Virgil and the strategy worked. He stopped a Virgil interference, allowing Bobo to snatch DiBiase up in a big Bobo Body Slam for the pin.

[Chad Olson]

AWA Card #8
2/19/2006
North High School, Davenport, IA
1. Greg Valentine b. Gorgeous George **
2. Killer Kowalski & Ox Baker b. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant *** ¼
3. Giant Baba b. Richard Hutton ***
4. Johnny Valentine b. Harley Race ½*
5. Jimmy Snuka & Playboy Buddy Rose b. Nick Bockwinkel & Ted DiBiase *** ½
6. Frank A. Gotch b. the Destroyer *** ¼
7. The Road Warriors b. the Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff ***
8. AWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – Red Bastein b. Buddy Rogers to win title *1/2

Summary: Greg Valentine didn’t want George to get cocky with his figure four win last card, so he beat him mercilessly and got the victory with his version of the hold. The Valiants did some damage to Ox Baker, but Kowalski came in and put away Jimmy with the stomach claw. In a rematch from the first AWA card, Giant Baba even the score against Richard Hutton, using three NECKBREAKER DROPS for the win. Race missed a turnbuckle charge early in the match and Valentine got the win with a handful of tights. Snuka continued his feud against DiBiase, with a bizarre ending. Both DiBiase and Rose had pulled foreign objects out of their trunks and slugged each other simultaneously. As they crashed to the mat, Rose landed with his arm on top of DiBiase, so he scored the win for his team! Gotch attempted to stake his claim to the #1 contender’s spot with a submission victory over the Destroyer. The Road Warriors got some revenge against the team who bounced them from the AWA tag title tourney. Buddy Rogers wanted an “easy” opponent for his first title defense, so he signed to meet the up and coming Red Bastien. Big mistake on the Nature Boy’s part. Red crushed him with three of his ATOMIC DROPS for the pinfall. A jubilant Red was joined by his good friends Bobo Brazil and the Destroyer in the ring to celebrate.

[Chad Olson]

AWA Card #9
3/12/2006
The Cow Palace, San Fransisco, CA
1. Ox Baker b. the Sandman * ½
2. Gorgeous George b. Nick Bockwinkel **
3. Ted DiBiase b. Playboy Buddy Rose – COR * ½
4. The Iron Sheik b. Animal ** ¾
5. Jimmy Snuka b. Greg Valentine – DQ *** ¾
6. Frank A. Gotch & Richard Hutton b. Red Bastien & the Destroyer ****
7. AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP – Bobo Brazil b. Killer Kowalski **
8. 20 MAN OVER THE TOP BATTLE ROYALE – Giant Baba won the battle royale. Participants (in order of elimination):
Iron Sheik (by Hawk)
Nikita Breznikov (by Hawk)
Virgil (by Playboy Buddy Rose)
Harley Race (by Johnny Valentine)
Jimmy Snuka (by Greg Valentine)
Ox Baker (by the Valiants)
Gorgeous George (by Giant Baba)
Johnny Valiant (by King Kong Bundy)
Jimmy Valiant (by King Kong Bundy)
King Kong Bundy (by Hawk)
Playboy Buddy Rose (by Greg Valentine)
Ted DiBiase (by Giant Baba)
Hawk (by the Valentines)
Nikolai Volkoff (by Giant Baba)
Greg Valentine (by Giant Baba)
Johnny Valentine (by Giant Baba)

Summary: 3 big injuries at the show! Ox Baker floored the Sandman with a HEART PUNCH and used a flying knee drop to injure Sandman for 2 months. Bock was beating on George, but missed a deathjump and injured his knee, leading to George using the SPINNING TOE HOLD to get the win. After the match, Buddy Rogers came off the top rope on Bock’s leg multiple times, injuring him for 5 months. DiBiase took out Rogers’ ally Rose in retaliation, repeatedly whipping him into the guardrails until the Playboy was counted out. The Iron Sheik used a Boston Crab to get the submission victory over Animal, but he kept it on after the bell while Nikita Breznikov stomped Animal’s back. Animal was expected to be out for 3 months. While Snuka put a beating on Greg Valentine and busted him open, the match was very close. Valentine got carried away outside the ring and shoved down referee Gary DeRusha for the DQ. Gotch made the World Champion tap to his GOTCH TOEHOLD to earn a title match in Denver at Card #11. Brazil took out Kowalski quickly, showing his agility with a sunset flip pinfall. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a sunset flip! Many feuds reared their ugly heads in the battle royale, but Giant Baba stood head and shoulders above the rest (literally!) and won the match. As a result, he earned a shot at the Americas Title at Card #12 in Winnepeg.

[Stu]

Just look at you, coming up with excuses on why Bock loses already! ;D

Nice to see the AWA in action my friend! I wonder in how many feds Baba has wreacked havoc...he's the king in mine, and I know in Tim's he pretty much set the NWF on fire. Cory's very large referee staff in the USWA probably kept him in check there though! (just kidding oh younger Olson).

Keep up the great work!

-Stu

[TDalton]

So Baba takes out big Nikolai AND the tag champs in final 4 of the Battle Royale? Yikes. It's like I've always said, the Neckbreaker Drop beats everybody!

Poor Cory. If the USWA ever goes bankrupt it will be a direct result of the inflated referee payroll.

[Cory Olson]

Hey, the USWA is a wild territory. With Buddy Rose as former champ, Bockwinkel getting multiple concussions, and "The Southern Dandy" Gorgeous George, you need referees to maintain order. That's all I'm going to say.

Great results as always, brother!