Chad's AWA

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #33
1/21/2007
North Iowa Ice Arena, Mason City, IA

1. Nick Bockwinkel b. Ox Baker ****
2. Frank A. Gotch b. Bob Orton, Jr. ***
3. Don Leo Jonathon & Dick Hutton b. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant – DQ **
4. Bobby Eaton b. Greg Valentine – DQ ***
5. The Destroyer b. Iron Sheik ** ¾
6. Animal & Hawk b. Buff Bagwell & Chris Candido ** ½
7. Bobo Brazil b. Komrade Red – DQ *** ¾
8. AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP – Giant Baba b. Killer Kowalski to win title. * ½

Summary: Bockwinkel and Baker had a great match, when Killer Kowalski interjected himself on Baker’s behalf. This brought Don Leo Jonathon out to ringside, who battled with Kowalski over a ringside chair. Jonathon got possession of the chair and smacked Baker over the head with it. Bockwinkel slapped on his figure four leglock and got the pinfall. Gotch and Orton put on a wrestling clinic that had fans on their feet. Orton showed he can wrestle as well as brawl, but Gotch’s dreaded toehold was too much for Orton. The Valiants were pounding on Hutton, but were DQ’d when Ox Baker came down and hammered Jonathon with a chair. Eaton was able to keep Greg Valentine down for a couple of pinfalls, but then decided to use Cornette’s tennis racket for a short cut. Eaton went for a pin attempt with his feet on the ropes, but Johnny Valentine jumped into the ring and dropped a skullcrusher on Eaton’s head. Referee Bob Warren called for the DQ based on the interference.

The Destroyer and Iron Sheik had a great match, with lots of back and forth wrestling mixed with brawling. The Sheik even withstood the Destroyer’s bone crunching single leg crab before being caught in a small package for the loss. The Road Warriors manhandled Bagwell and Candido, plain and simple. Candido struggled to set Animal up for a Blonde Bomb, but Animal got Candido on his shoulders, and Hawk hit the Doomsday Device for the win. Komrade Red continues to anger fans with his evil tactics. As Brazil rocked Red with a Coco Butt, Nikita Breznikov jumped into the ring, earning the DQ. The Iron Sheik ran out and the evil trio triple teamed Brazil until the Destroyer cleared the ring with a steel chair. Will this bitter feud ever end? Giant Baba quickly crushed Killer Kowalski with a Neckbreaker Drop to claim his second Americas title. Kowalski’s title reign ended just two days shy of two months.

[Chad Olson]

AWA ALL STAR WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM 1/27/07

***In an emotional interview with Marty O’Neill, Nick Bockwinkel and Ted DiBiase have stripped themselves of their “rich snob” gimmicks! Bockwinkel explained that they were both second generation wrestlers, and they were disgracing their families with their actions. DiBiase also brought out Virgil, telling him he no longer needed his bodyguard services, and told the TV audience his former wrestling name was Soul Train Jones. DiBiase told Jones he would be proud to still team and train with him, but he no longer wanted him accompanying him to ringside.

***It was announced that Nikolai Volkoff suffered a broken leg at the hands of the Destroyer and Bobo Brazil on New Year’s Day. Nikita Breznikov declared that “the Kremlin” would be sending a new recruit to assist Komrade Red in his war against his former partners.

***Promoter Wally Karbo announced plans for a wrestling spectacular in April! WrestleRock '07 will come from the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in the AWA's home base of Minneapolis, MN. All three AWA titles will be defended plus some outside talent will be brought in. Keep watching AWA All Star Wrestling in upcoming weeks for more details!

[stephenvegas]

Looking forward to WrestleRock '07!

[Cory Olson]

isuchado said:

AWA ALL STAR WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM 1/27/07

***In an emotional interview with Marty O’Neill, Nick Bockwinkel and Ted DiBiase have stripped themselves of their “rich snob” gimmicks! Bockwinkel explained that they were both second generation wrestlers, and they were disgracing their families with their actions. DiBiase also brought out Virgil, telling him he no longer needed his bodyguard services, and told the TV audience his former wrestling name was Soul Train Jones. DiBiase told Jones he would be proud to still team and train with him, but he no longer wanted him accompanying him to ringside.

***It was announced that Nikolai Volkoff suffered a broken leg at the hands of the Destroyer and Bobo Brazil on New Year’s Day. Nikita Breznikov declared that “the Kremlin” would be sending a new recruit to assist Komrade Red in his war against his former partners.

***Promoter Wally Karbo announced plans for a wrestling spectacular in April! WrestleRock '07 will come from the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in the AWA's home base of Minneapolis, MN. All three AWA titles will be defended plus some outside talent will be brought in. Keep watching AWA All Star Wrestling in upcoming weeks for more details!

I like the highlights format.

Who will be performing at WrestleRock?

Great results, brother! Marty O' Neill is a slippery as a banana peel!

[Chad Olson]

coryolson said:

I like the highlights format.

Who will be performing at WrestleRock?

Great results, brother! Marty O' Neill is a slippery as a banana peel!

Yes, I stole the highlights idea from you, sue me!

WR concert will be unveiled soon. You won't be surprised.

Marty O'Neill is definitely a shady character. Big, black shades.

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #34
2/4/2007
Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN

1. Hawk b. Soul Train Jones ** ½
2. Don Leo Jonathon b. Koko Ware ***
3. Komrade Red & Iron Sheik b. Jim Brunzell & B. Brian Blair ****
4. Buddy Rogers b. the Sandman – DQ *** ¾
5. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant b. Harley Race & Bob Orton, Jr. ****
6. Johnny Valentine b. Stan Lane ***
7. Killer Kowalski & Ox Baker b. Giant Baba & the Destroyer *** ¾
8. AWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – Jimmy Snuka b. Ted DiBiase *

Summary: The fans were solidly behind Soul Train Jones (formerly Virgil). However, Hawk toyed with him before pinning him after a gorilla press and splash. Koko Ware tried to outrun Don Leo Jonathon, but Jonathon showed his agility and wrestling prowess. He grabbed Ware in a giant swing and then pinned him following an atomic drop. The evil foreign duo of Komrade Red and the Iron Sheik had a great match against the Killer Bees. Both of the Bees were busted open by their assault. Finally, the Iron Sheik used his loaded boot to pin B. Brian Blair. The Sandman charged headfirst into a wild match with Buddy Rogers. Rogers was able to bloody the Sandman, and even got his Singapore cane away from him. The Sandman grabbed a steel chair from ringside and tossed into the ring. Referee Bob Warren (who has been earning his pay during his rookie year) called for the bell before things got further out of hand.

The Valiants were able to outwrestle Harley Race & Bob Orton, Jr., with their superior tag skills. Jimmy used to Super Elbow to KO Race and get the pinfall. The Valiants have now declared themselves the #1 contenders to the tag titles. The fans would love to see them tangle with the Midnight Express, since they hate both teams and they would both take a pounding! The war between the Valentines and the Midnight Express continued as Johnny Valentine and Stan Lane met up in singles action. Valentine was able to control the action late in the match and used his atomic skullcrusher for the win. Following the match, he continued to drop atomic skullcrushers to Lane’s rib cage area. Ox Baker did surprisingly well in the tag match against Baba and the Destroyer. He pinned Baba following a flying knee drop, and is petitioning for an Americas title shot. The World title match with Jimmy Snuka and Ted DiBiase had a wild ending! Snuka missed his Superfly Splash, so DiBiase scrambled to the top rope to deliver a clothesline. As Snuka struggled to his feet, a masked man ran to ringside and grabbed referee Gary DeRusha, diverting his attention. Buddy Rogers climbed up on the ring apron and shook the ropes, causing DiBiase to miss his deathjump! Not realizing what had occurred, Snuka climbed to the top rope and delivered his Superfly Splash successfully to win the match. Rogers distracted Snuka while the masked man delivered stomps to the body of DiBiase. When Snuka saw what was happening, he gave Rogers a dirty look and left the ring.

[Cory Olson]

isuchado said:

Yes, I stole the highlights idea from you, sue me!

Hey, I was not accusing you of stealing. Great minds think alike.

Great Rochester results. Was Bob Warren actually pushed as a rookie ref? I just wondered why you referred to him in that way.

[Chad Olson]

coryolson said:

Great Rochester results. Was Bob Warren actually pushed as a rookie ref? I just wondered why you referred to him in that way.

He just started appearing in the results recently, as opposed to Gary DeRusha and Larry Lisowski, who have been there since the beginning. It seems like he's always getting involved with the matches that end in a DQ. As I'm learning or remembering more AWA ref names, thanks to the AWA footage I'm stockpiling, more refs might pop up.

Of course, I'll never have as many refs as your 8 man officiating roster!

[Cory Olson]

isuchado said:

Of course, I'll never have as many refs as your 8 man officiating roster!

I knew that would come up. With Bobo back and feuding with Sheik and Sabu, the USWA will need all the refs they can get! I may have to relive the famed Detroit match that had nine refs.

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #35
2/18/2007
Whitewater, WI

1. Buddy Rogers b. Soul Train Jones ***
2. Jim Brunzell b. Chris Candido DUD
3. Nick Bockwinkel b. Koko Ware **
4. B.Brian Blair b. Larry Sharpe ***
5. Ted DiBiase & the Sandman b. Playboy Buddy Rose & Jimmy Snuka ** ¾
6. Harley Race b. Jimmy Valiant ***
7. The Destroyer & Giant Baba DDQ Komrade Red & Iron Sheik ** ½
8. AWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane b. Johnny & Greg Valentine *** ¾

Summary: Buddy Rogers went after Ted DiBiase’s former bodyguard, Soul Train Jones. Jones got on offense, and even managed to grab the Cobra Clutch, before Rogers took the match out of the ring and used his dirty tactics to turn the match around. He used his figure four grapevine to make Jones submit, and afterwards the masked man hit the ring and delivered a devastating clothesline to Jones. Jim Brunzell shocked Chris Candido with a quick sunset flip pinfall in 13 seconds! Nick Bockwinkel dominated Koko Ware and used his Bockwinkel Sleeper to gain the submission. He helped the referee revive Ware and helped him to his feet after the match. Chris Candido’s original trainer, Larry Sharpe, made his AWA debut against B. Brian Blair. He didn’t look that impressive and was put out with Blair’s sleeperhold.

The AWA’s headline feud continued with Ted DiBiase and the Sandman against Jimmy Snuka and Playboy Buddy Rose. This was a great match with many twists and turns. DiBiase showed his new attitude with some new wrestling skills, but was able to outfox Rose at the end of the match. Rose dipped into his trunks for a foreign object, but DiBiase pulled out a black glove and slugged him with it for the win! Harley Race avenged his pinfall loss in Rochester by throttling Jimmy Valiant with multiple piledrivers. Giant Baba made the Iron Sheik his punching bag, and floored him with a Neckbreaker Drop. Komrade Red came off the second rope with an ax handle to break up the pinfall. All four combatants spilled into the ring and a wild brawl ensued. Referee Bob Warren, who is earning a reputation for his unbiased officiating, called for the double disqualification.

The Midnight Express defended their World tag team titles against the Valentines in a rematch from Christmas night. The action was fast and furious, with all four men hitting finishers and big moves against each other. Johnny Valentine had Bobby Eaton downed, when he mounted the second rope for an Atomic Skullcrusher. Valentine usually has a ground based attack, and he came off the ropes at an awkward angle. Eaton rolled out of the way, and Johnny crashed to the mat. Eaton grabbed Valentine in the Divorce Court armbreaker, but Valentine managed to kick out. As Valentine struggled to his feet, Eaton blasted him with a powerful right hand punch and got the pinfall! In the locker room, Johnny Valentine challenged Bobby Eaton to a singles match to prove who has the most powerful punches.

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #36
3/4/2007
Southwest Jr. High, Albert Lea, MN

1. Jim Brunzell & B. Brian Blair b. Chris Candido & Larry Sharpe – DQ ** ½
2. Mil Mascaras b. George South DUD
3. Killer Kowalski b. Soul Train Jones **
4. Don Leo Jonathon b. Iron Sheik – DQ * ½
5. Johnny Valentine b. Bobby Eaton 1/2*
6. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant b. Harley Race & Bob Orton, Jr. *** ½
7. Nick Bockwinkel & Ted DiBiase b. Buddy Rogers & Jimmy Snuka **** ¾
8. AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP – Giant Baba b. Komrade Red ***

Summary: The Killer Bees and the New Jersey crew had a good opener. Candido was DQ’d when he smacked Brunzell with Tammy Sytch’s purse. Mil Mascaras returned to the AWA with a dominating victory over the debuting George South. He flattened South with his cross body attack to gain the pinfall. Killer Kowalski destroyed Soul Train Jones, using his Kowalski Klaw to get the submission. After the match, he demanded an Americas title rematch! Don Leo Jonathon and the Iron Sheik exchanged holds on the mat before the bout tumbled out to the floor. The Sheik pulled off his pointy boot and slugged Jonathon with it, earning the DQ.

The slugfest between Johnny Valentine and Bobby Eaton never materialized. Valentine kept Eaton on the ground during the body of the match. Later in the bout, Eaton attempted to whip Valentine towards Jim Cornette, who had climbed up on the apron with his tennis racquet. Valentine reversed the whip and Eaton and his manager crashed together. Valentine grabbed Eaton in a rolling reverse cradle to get the victory. The Valiants earned a title shot against the Midnight Express by defeating Harley Race & Bob Orton, Jr., again. They cut off the ring and kept Orton in for the majority of the match. He fell victim to Jimmy’s Super Elbow for the pinfall loss.

The AWA’s hottest feud continued in our semifinal match. Rogers was attacked at the start of the match and had his leg worked over by Bockwinkel and DiBiase. DiBiase smashed Rogers’ leg into the ringpost, and Bockwinkel and DiBiase then proceeded to apply the figure four leglock on Rogers on five occasions! Snuka managed to tag in, and worked most of the match against Bockwinkel. Rogers begged for a tag back in when Snuka got on offense. He took the match to floor, where Bockwinkel turned it around with a bodyslam on the concrete floor. DiBiase tagged back in and clamped on another figure four leglock, but Rogers’ masked ally hit the ring, causing referee Gary DeRusha to divert his attention from the match. A frustrated DiBiase broke the hold, only to don his black glove and knockout Rogers for the victory!

The action didn’t end after the bell! The masked man pulled Bockwinkel off of the ring apron to the floor and then leveled DiBiase with his devastating clothesline. Rogers recovered and helped the masked man stomp on DiBiase’s gloved hand. Snuka had enough of the assault and tried to pull them off, but the masked man decked him! Bockwinkel came back in and dropkicked Rogers out of the ring. He hit the masked man with a big forearm smash, momentarily stunning him. Bockwinkel pulled off the mask to reveal…. a second mask covered with stars! Rogers has paid the Masked Superstar to enter the AWA as his hatchet man! The Superstar helped Rogers back to the dressing room as the fans voiced their disapproval.

[Cory Olson]

A great card from the birthplace of the Olson Brothers! I like the "double mask" thing with Superstar. Very creative!

[Chad Olson]

AWA ALL STAR WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM 3/10/2007

***Nick Bockwinkel has been awarded the main event world title shot against Jimmy Snuka at WrestleRock ’07! His recent success in singles matches was cited as the determing factor by promoter Wally Karbo. Bockwinkel has never challenged for the world title during his AWA tenure.

***Wally Karbo revealed the background behind the “WrestleRock” name. “Following the wrestling show, we’re going to have a great rock concert!” stated Karbo. “We have an exciting regional band that will be performing after the main event.” This band’s identity will be revealed in upcoming weeks.

***Danny Hodge, the current World Junior Heavyweight Champion, will defend his title at WrestleRock. This will be Hodge’s first appearance in the AWA region. Hodge has reigned as the champion for the past 13 months. He will meet current #1 contender Brad Armstrong.

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #37
3/18/2007
Palmer Auditorium, Davenport, IA


1. Ted DiBiase b. George South – COR
2. Masked Superstar b. Soul Train Jones ***
3. The Sandman b. Larry Sharpe DUD
4. Nick Bockwinkel b. Chris Candido **
5. Johnny & Greg Valentine b. Harley Race & Bob Orton, Jr. – COR *** ½
6. Mil Mascaras b. Killer Kowalski * ½
7. Iron Sheik & Komrade Red b. Bobo Brazil & Don Leo Jonathan -**
8. AWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane b. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant

Summary: Ted DiBiase did not happy based on the outcome of the last AWA house show. He came to the ring with his black glove on, which was a first. He knocked George South out of the ring with a powerful punch and South stayed on the floor for the countout loss. The Masked Superstar made his in ring debut (as opposed to all of his previous unscheduled appearances!) He brutalized Soul Train Jones, while shouting “This is for you, DiBiase!” He used a spinning neckbreaker to finish Jones off. The Sandman dropped Larry Sharpe after a pair of DDTs. Chris Candido jumped Nick Bockwinkel at the beginning of the match, but Bock took control of the match. He locked on his Bockwinkel Sleeper to get the win.

Greg Valentine and Bob Orton, Jr., opened the tag match exchanging wild blows and things went out the window from there. Both teams hit some impressive offense on each other, with Orton getting busted open from the Valentines’ hard elbows. Greg dumped Orton out of the ring, and Johnny delivered an atomic skullcrusher from the apron to the floor to stun Orton. Orton couldn’t answer the bell and was counted out by referee Larry Lisowski.

Mil Mascaras dominated Killer Kowalski to become the new #1 contender to the Americas title. He used his aerial assault to confuse Kowalski, and then locked on a bow and arrow for the submission. Will Mascaras get his title shot considering his All Japan tag partner Giant Baba holds the Americas title?

The semifinal bout was horrible match, which saw Don Leo Jonathan trapped in the ring the entire match. The Iron Sheik and Komrade Red beat him mercilessly before the Sheik used a Boston crab to get the submission. Brazil and Jonathon did not look like a cohesive unit in their debut outing.

The fans were excited to see their two least favorite teams beat the tar out of each other in the main event. Bobby Eaton did take a pounding in the early portion of the match. As Johnny Valiant hit the ropes to deliver a running clothesline, Jim Cornette hooked his ankle and tripped him up. This gave Eaton the opportunity to drop a hard elbow on Johnny’s head. He tagged in Stan Lane, and the Midnights combined to hit the VEG-O-MATIC on Johnny for the win.

[Cory Olson]

Is Palmer Auditorium named after the legendary Palmer Olson?

What drama with Mascaras and Baba. Keep those results a-coming!

[Chad Olson]

coryolson said:

Is Palmer Auditorium named after the legendary Palmer Olson?

NICE!

I'm assuming it has something to do with Palmer College, since they're both in Davenport. I haven't study the history of my venues to that depth.

[Cory Olson]

isuchado said:

NICE!

I thought you'd like that one.

I had forgotten about Palmer College. That would make sense.

[Chad Olson]

AWA ALL STAR WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM 3/24/07

***Mil Mascaras WILL get an Americas title shot at Giant Baba! In the contract signing, both men shook hands and promised a clean, scientific encounter. The Destroyer, who is a frequent partner with Baba in All Japan Pro Wrestling, and a rival with Mascaras in the same organization, is said to be involved in the negotiations for the match.

***Veteran Larry Hennig will make his return to his home state and AWA debut at WrestleRock. He will team with his son Curt, who will be making his professional wrestling debut.

***Ted DiBiase has demanded a singles match with the Masked Superstar! He wants revenge for the attack on his right hand and on his former right hand man, Soul Train Jones, formerly Virgil. No word if this challenge will be accepted.

[stephenvegas]

Mascaras vs Giant Baba- looking forward to seeing the results.

[Chad Olson]

AWA CARD #38
3/25/2007
St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN

1. Koko Ware b. Johnny Valiant – DQ *
2. Killer Kowalski & Ox Baker b. Jim Brunzell & B. Brian Blair ***
3. Greg Valentine b. Bob Orton, Jr. DUD
4. Animal & Hawk b. Chris Candido & Larry Sharpe * ½
5. Buddy Rogers & Masked Superstar b. Ted DiBiase & the Sandman * ½
6. Johnny Valentine b. Bobby Eaton *****
7. NON-TITLE MATCH – Nick Bockwinkel b. Jimmy Snuka – DQ *** ¼
8. LIGHTS OUT MATCH – Bobo Brazil & the Destroyer b. Komrade Red & Iron Sheik ****

Summary: Koko Ware was winning his match against Johnny Valiant when Jimmy Valiant hit the ring for the DQ. The Valiants combined to nail Ware with a vicious double clothesline after the match. Ox Baker & Killer Kowalski displayed some impressive cooperation in their victory over the Killer Bees. They cut the ring off and kept B. Brian Blair in the ring for much of the match. Kowalski used his giant swing on Blair for the win. Bob Orton, Jr., clotheslined Greg Valentine over the top rope at the outset of their match. He demolished Valentine with a chair outside of the ring and was DQ’d. The Road Warriors returned from a tour of All Japan Pro Wrestling with fire in their eyes. They quickly destroyed Chris Candido, with Animal pinning him via flying shoulder block.

This match saw Rogers & Superstar demolish DiBiase, as he never had a chance to tag out to the Sandman. They punished DiBiase with finishers, but couldn’t keep him down. DiBiase struggled to tag out to the Sandman, but he was distracted by Rogers on the outside. Finally, DiBiase reversed a ropes whip on Superstar, and hit the ropes to deliver a big clothesline. Sandman had grabbed his cane and swung for the fence, thinking it was Superstar. He accidentally clobbered DiBiase, giving the Superstar the opportunity for the easy pinfall.

Johnny Valentine and Bobby Eaton continued their singles feud in this strong match of the year candidate. Eaton used a varied aerial attack on Valentine, including four top rope elbow smashes! Valentine fought back, and busted Eaton open with hard forearms and atomic skullcrushers. The match then went to the mat, where both men displayed impressive chain wrestling skills. Valentine slowed things down on the mat to get his wind back, and then clamped a sleeper hold on Eaton in the center of the ring. He held Eaton in the submission move for what seemed like minutes, causing Jim Cornette to get up on the apron. Once again, Valentine shoved Eaton into Cornette, and rolled him up in a reverse cradle for the win.

Nick Bockwinkel met AWA World Champion Jimmy Snuka in a non-title preview to their WrestleRock ’07 main event. As usual, Buddy Rogers interjected himself in Jimmy Snuka’s affairs. First, he hid under the ring and grabbed Bockwinkel’s leg after he tumbled out of the ring, attempting to get Bockwinkel counted out. Bockwinkel kicked him in the head and got back in the ring, but he was visibly upset. Snuka and Bockwinkel managed to have a competitive match, despite Rogers lurking around at ringside. Bockwinkel got Snuka down on the mat and locked on his figure four leglock. Rogers grabbed the title belt from the timekeeper’s table and smacked Bockwinkel in the face with it. Referee Larry Lisowski called for the DQ based on Rogers’ interference. Rogers then hammered Snuka across the face as he staggered to his feet, leaving Snuka a bloody mess in the middle of the ring.

The main event saw the Destroyer and Bobo Brazil meet Komrade Red and the Iron Sheik in an unsanctioned lights out match. After the Bockwinkel vs. Snuka match, the arena lights were dimmed to signify the end of the card. They were then brought back up and the combatants came out to the ring. The Destroyer was worked over first, taking a pair of Komrade Krunches. Bobo got tagged in a hit a couple of Coco Butts on Red and the Iron Sheik. Things went out of the ring many times and the Sheik used his loaded boot on the Destroyer repeatedly. Bobo went out after the Sheik and managed to pull the loaded boot off. Red clubbed him from behind before he could use it on the Sheik. Red then climbed up on the apron as the Sheik whipped the Destroyer at him. Red swung the loaded boot, but the Destroyer reversed the whip, sending the Sheik crashing into a knockout blow from Red! The Destroyer covered the Iron Sheik for the pinfall to a thunderous pop from the fans.