BITHLO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 19

Leon County Civic Center – Tallahassee

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and announced that at the next card, there would be a three-way dance for the tag titles between the champion Fabulous Kangaroos and former champs Rikidozan and Giant Baba and the Road Warriors. Then Bobby Heenan came out to say that Johnny Valiant had left BCW to be with his injured brother Jimmy, but the remainder of the Heenan family would still be targeting Timber. No sooner did Heenan leave than U.S. champ Don Leo Jonathan came out to say that Buff Bagwell had asked for a title shot, and since he was a fighting champ, he was willing to give him the shot on the card tonight. That somewhat cheered up the fans in Tallahassee, who were disappointed that the three-way dance and the world heavyweight title would be contested on the next card at the Bithloplex. Jonathan went on to say he’d represent the belt at every card, if need be.

Bobo Brazil d. S.D. Jones using his COCOA BUTT. Jones’ former tag-team partner, Virgil, came to ringside, then shook his head as Jones got pinned and left. Jones did not look happy when he saw Virgil leaving in disgust.

The Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette) made quick work of S+S, winning by countout when a distracted ref failed to see Bobby Eaton give a vicious clothesline to Larry Sharpe outside the ring, preventing his return to action.

Brad Armstrong came to ringside, took the mike and called out Buff Bagwell and Steve Corino, saying he believed that they were behind the attack that sidelined he and his father before Tag-o-Rama. Corino came to ringside and motioned for he and Armstrong to wrestle.

Steve Corino d. Brad Armstrong by countout when Armstrong was waylaid outside the ring by Buff Bagwell, who then waved in a dismissive manner toward Corino before leaving. Corino appeared confused as to the turn of events.

“Dr. Death” Steve Williams d. the Terrible Turk in a tough-guy, no-DQ chain match after taking out the Turk with his OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE. The Terrible Turk seemed to have no answer for the determined Williams.

The Hennigs and the Vachons (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) wrestled to a double DQ outside the ring when Butcher Vachon and Curt Hennig went at each other with whatever was available at ringside. After the ref called for the bell, Larry Hennig took out Mad Dog Vachon and Albano with his AXE, then helped Curt give Butcher Vachon a piledriver onto the concrete floor, seriously injuring him.

Don Leo Jonathan retained his U.S. title by d. Buff Bagwell using his MORMON SWING. After the match was over, a wrestler came to ringside and attacked Jonathan, giving him a piledriver with the assistance of Bagwell. Many in the crowd recognized him as “The Crippler” Ray Stevens, who left with Bagwell afterward. There was no sign of Steve Corino during the match.

In an Invasion qualifying match, Rick Rude d. Timber, pinning him following a piledriver. Timber did a great job of battling the man he once tag-teamed with to a standstill in the middle part of the match, even escaping a RUDE AWAKENING. Rude finally got the advantage and the win. Bobby Heenan and Don Muraco, with reasons to dislike both men, came to ringside, but didn’t interfere once Commissioner Chad sent extra security to ringside.

“Bullet” Bob Armstrong d. world heavyweight champion Jimmy Snuka in a nontitle match due to interference by Harley Race. Both Snuka and Armstrong ended up outside the ring at one point, and Race got in a cheap shot while the referee, who had been knocked down as the two went outside the ring, was recovering. Armstrong was then able to roll Snuka back into the ring and use his SLEEPER for the victory. Afterward, Race was seen laughing and making the sign of the title belt.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 20

Bithloplex

“The Crippler” Ray Stevens (w/ Buff Bagwell) made his official debut in BCW by d. Johnny Rodz, pinning him after a double underhook suplex. Afterward, Stevens and Bagwell were interviewed by Bill Apter for his “Hot Seat” segment. Stevens said he didn’t care about U.S. champ Don Leo Jonathan, whom he attacked at the last card. He said he came to BCW to team with Bagwell and win some tag belts. The two then laughed and left the ring together.

The Iron Sheik and the Terrible Turk came to ringside and called out “Dr. Death” Steve Williams. The Sheik said Williams might have gotten lucky and beat the Terrible Turk, but he was still “nothing.” Williams came out with tag-team partner Ted DiBiase and challenged them to a tag match – with no DQ!

“Dr. Death” Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase ended up in a double DQ with the Iron Sheik and the Terrible Turk as all four men were involved in the ring after DiBiase broke up the Iron Sheik’s CAMEL CLUTCH on Williams. DiBiase and Williams dominated most of the match, and only the Sheik’s interference kept them from pinning the Terrible Turk, who took a huge beating throughout.

Ivan Koloff came out, pointed at the departing Williams and claimed he would beat “Dr. Death” like a drum in the tough-guy finale. That brought out old rival Diamond Dallas Page, who challenged Koloff to a no-DQ match right then!

Ivan Koloff d. Diamond Dallas Page using his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Williams came to ringside to distract Koloff, but he was hit from behind by the Iron Sheik. That brawl distracted Page, and he fell victim to Koloff yet again.

U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan retained his title by d. George Hackenschmidt in a great, long match. Jonathan connected with his MORMON SWING a second time to get the pin. Earlier, he had to fight out of Hackenschmidt’s RUSSIAN BEAR HUG.

Curt Hennig d. Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) using a sleeper. When Albano tried to interfere in the match, Larry Hennig came down to ringside. Albano backed off, but taunted Hennig by saying, “You’ll be gone after Invasion. Who will protect your boy then?” To which Hennig replied, “Who said you’ll be here after Invasion?”

Commissioner Chad came out to explain about the triple-threat tag match. He said it would be like a regular triple-threat match, except that a person can tag out to a teammate at any time. Whoever makes the pin, that team will become the world tag-team champions.

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Fabulous Kangaroos (w/ “Wild” Red Berry) and Giant Baba and Rikidozan to recapture the BCW world tag-team belts in an amazing three-way-dance match. The end came as the Warriors took out Rikidozan with the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. The Kangaroos’ Al Costello was too groggy to break up the pin, and Ellering distracted Giant Baba, Roy Heffernan and Berry by feigning that he was going to attack them with a chair, although he got pummeled for his efforts. The Kangaroos were furious afterward that they lost the title without being pinned. The victory means the Warriors will represent BCW as the tag champs at Invasion’s War Games.

The Armstrongs d. Playboy Buddy Rose and Koko B. Ware in an Invasion qualifying match when Bob Armstrong caught Ware with a cross body block. The Armstrongs pretty much controlled the match, and Rose was unable to make the save in time, meaning he and Ware will have their BCW careers on the line at the PPV.

Harley Race became the new BCW world heavyweight champion, d. Jimmy Snuka in a best-of-three-falls match, 2-1. In the first fall, the two were evenly matched until Race connected with his PILEDRIVER seemingly out of nowhere for a 1-0 lead. In the second fall, Snuka nailed Race with a SUPERFLY LEAP outside the ring. Race was unable to make the 10-count, while Snuka barely made it back into the ring. Both men appeared to be barely able to stand entering the third fall. Snuka eventually rallied, took control of the match and went for a SUPERFLY LEAP, but missed Race. Race then gave Snuka another PILEDRIVER to get the pin and capture the championship. An injured Snuka, who ended up tied with Ted DiBiase for the longest BCW world heavyweight title reign (21 cards), was helped from the ring as a weary Race celebrated.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 21

Eddie Graham Sports Stadium

Larry Zbyszko (w/ Bobby Heenan) returned from injury to d. Johnny Rodz with a knee smash. Zbyszko looked a little rusty and not fully recovered, but after the pin he yelled the names of “Snuka” and “Rude.”

The Armstrongs d. the Killer Bees in a very close match when Brad Armstrong connected on a cross-body block off the ropes against B. Brian Blair. The two sides were so evenly matched that a number of reversals occurred during the contest.

George Hackenschmidt came out and complained that he always seemed to get the short end of the stick in BCW. That statement brought out an angry Commissioner Chad, who pointed out that Hackenschmidt had a title shot at the last card and was not able to get the job done. Plus, he noted that Hackenschmidt had been a BCW tag champion in the past. What more could he want? Before Hackenschmidt could answer, the commissioner said he had something for him – a match with Ray “The Crippler” Stevens!

Ray Stevens (w/ Buff Bagwell) d. George Hackenschmidt following a dropkick when Bagwell held Hackenschmidt’s foot down during the pin. Afterward, Hackenschmidt pounded the mat in frustration.

U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan d. Steve Corino via DQ in a nontitle match when Corino struck Jonathan with a chair. The long match saw Jonathan dominate, but have a hard time putting Corino away. For his part, Corino’s use of the chair was probably his most effective offensive weapon against Jonathan.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” had new BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race. Race said he told people Snuka would have to go – and he did. He said BCW couldn’t have a champion making the kind of mistake at Invasion that Snuka made in losing the title. Race also said that the last time he was in a group of wrestlers, things didn’t go so well, but now that he was champion, he might have to put together a “Four Horsemen” type faction to “protect the title.”

The Fabulous Kangaroos and “Wild” Red Berry d. the Tokyo Trio in a six-man tag match when Al Costello and Roy Heffernan executed a BOOMERANG on Rikidozan. The Tokyo Trio had control early and had Berry in the ring, but instead of Giant Baba finishing him with the NECKBREAKER DROP, he tagged in Jushin Liger, whose two pin attempts were broken up by the Kangaroos. Berry finally managed to tag out, and the Kangaroos went on to get the pin.

The BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors d. Playboy Buddy Rose and Koko B. Ware by DQ in a nontitle match when the Fabulous Kangaroos came out and threw Hawk into a steel post while he was outside the ring. Then they fled the scene before Animal could catch up to them. Rose and Ware appeared to be seeking a good workout of their skills ahead of their career-threatening match at Invasion, and the Warriors gave them that before the attack by the Kangaroos.

Bobo Brazil d. the Terrible Turk in an Invasion qualifying match when he pinned the Terrible Turk after a Bobo body slam. The Turk, who will have to wrestle for his BCW career at the PPV, did get his STRANGLEHOLD on Brazil during the match, but could not get the pin.

“Dr. Death” Steve Williams d. Ivan Koloff in a bloody barbed-wire cage match to be crowned the tough guy of BCW. Koloff got the advantage early by running Williams into the barbed wire, but eventually Williams gained the momentum, connected on two backdrop drivers and then finished off Koloff with his OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE. Officials had to help both men to the back afterward.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 22

Hollywood Sportatorium – Hollywood, Fla.

The Hennigs d. the Jersey Boys when Curt Hennig got the pin on Diamond Dallas Page following a dropkick. Page had been worn down by taking consecutive AXES from Larry Hennig, and Steve Corino was unable to prevent the pin because he was distracted by the appearance of former tag-team partner Buff Bagwell at ringside.

George Hackenschmidt d. Buff Bagwell (w/ Ray Stevens) via a BEARHUG. Hackenschmidt, who had been going through some challenging times, got Bagwell in the BEARHUG, only to have Stevens try to interfere. Hackenschmidt threw Stevens out of the ring, then put Bagwell back in the BEARHUG. Meanwhile, Steve Corino came to ringside and caned Stevens. Afterward, he tried to shake Hackenschmidt’s hand, but the Russian warrior ignored him and walked off.

Commissioner Chad came out to announce that an unusual request had been made. He said the Terrible Turk and the Iron Sheik had requested a match with the Fabulous Kangaroos, and he was going to give it to them "just to see what would happen."

The Fabulous Kangaroos (w/ “Wild” Red Berry) d. the Terrible Turk and the Iron Sheik by DQ when the Terrible Turk put his STRANGLEHOLD on Al Costello and would not break the hold. The self-proclaimed “Hitmen for Hire” appeared bent on injuring the Kangaroos, and Berry and company were quick to get going out of the ring after officials separated the Terrible Turk and Costello.

S.D. Jones came to ringside and called out Virgil. Jones claimed he was “not wrestling to his full ability” because his former partner was still in BCW, and therefore one of them had to go. He said he wanted a “winner take all” match, with the loser leaving BCW. Virgil came to ringside and accepted the challenge.

Virgil d. S.D. Jones by countout to keep his job in BCW. The two fought to the outside of the ring, then Virgil delivered a hard clothesline. As he crawled back into the ring, Jones slowly got up, looked at Virgil, then walked out on his BCW career!

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and called out Johnny Rodz. The commissioner said he felt like elevating someone, and therefore this was Rodz’s night, for he would get to wrestle the BCW heavyweight champ in a nontitle match. If Rodz won the match, he would get a shot at the title at a future card.

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race d. Johnny Rodz in a nontitle match, pinning him following a diving head butt. Rodz got in a shot or two on Race, then the champ dominated the match. Afterward, a fan ran to ringside to congratulate Race, and before security could get there, he gave Race a SUPERKICK. The fan ripped off his cap and BCW shirt, revealing BWF champ Shawn Michaels! He left the ringside area and escaped through the crowd as Race struggled to recover from the attack by his opponent at War Games.

Larry Zbyszko came to ringside and called out Commissioner Chad. He told the commissioner he wanted former Heenan family member Rick Rude brought to ringside so he could settle the score once and for all. Commissioner Chad agreed – then made the match a cage match at the end of the card!

The Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette) d. the Armstrongs, their tag partners at War Games, by DQ when Bob Armstrong, incensed at Cornette’s interference, took his racket and whacked Bobby Eaton with it. Officials quickly raced to ringside to separate the two teams before a bigger rumble occurred.

Don Muraco (w/ Bobby Heenan) d. Giant Baba (w/Rikidozan) by DQ in an Invasion qualifying match when Rikidozan belted Muraco while he was out of the ring. Up to that point, the match had been a long struggle between the two titans, with Muraco having a slight edge. Rikidozan’s interference was puzzling in that BCW’s first heavyweight champion, whose career will be on the line at Invasion, was not in trouble during that part of the match.

Larry Zbyszko d. Rick Rude in a cage match when he exited first after giving Rude his PILEDRIVER. Both men were bloody at the end. When Zbyszko left the cage and headed toward the back, he was attacked by Timber, who whacked him repeatedly with his barbed wire ax handle and then fled before Don Muraco could catch him. Zbyszko was seriously injured in the attack. The fans cheered their new rogue hero Timber as Bobby Heenan fumed.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 23

Vero Beach – Dodgertown

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race came to ringside and took up the microphone. He said BWF champ Shawn Michaels got in a cheap shot on him last time, but there would be nowhere to hide come the Invasion PPV and their cage match. He also announced that he had planned a workout with George Hackenschmidt at the end of the card because Hackenschmidt had asked Race to help him find out “what he’s really made of.”

Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) made his BCW debut by d. George South using his DIRT NAP. Dirge and Humperdink made for a very odd-looking team, but it seemingly worked.

The Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette) d. Playboy Buddy Rose and Koko B. Ware when the connected on a VEG-O-MATIC against Rose. Ware and Rose put up a good fight throughout the match, perhaps signaling that they were ready to fight for their BCW careers at Invasion, but the Midnight Express proved to be too much.

Commissioner Chad came out and called Yukon Eric to the ring. He asked Eric where he’d been, and Eric replied, “Here and there, but I’m ready to compete for the BCW title now.” The commissioner said that despite Eric’s previous championship bouts, he’d have to earn a title shot, so he gave him Bob Armstrong, who beat Jimmy Snuka a few cards ago in a nontitle match when Snuka was the heavyweight champ.

Yukon Eric d. Bob Armstrong using a cross-body block off the turnbuckle. Armstrong gave a good match to Eric, who looked to be knocking off some ring rust. In the end, his talent won out over a game Armstrong. The two shook hands after the match.

“Dr. Death” Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase d. the Terrible Turk and the Iron Sheik by DQ when the Terrible Turk applied his STRANGLEHOLD to DiBiase outside the ring, injuring him before officials could separate the two, while Williams battled the Iron Sheik on the other side of the ring.

Mad Dog Vachon came out and said that Butcher Vachon was too injured to wrestle for his career at Invasion, so he had picked a new partner to tag with him – Captain Lou Albano, his manager! Albano looked a bit stunned at the proposal. Vachon also said that in case he was leaving BCW, he wanted to destroy Curt Hennig “one more time” Hennig came to ringside to answer the challenge.

Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. Curt Hennig by DQ when Larry Hennig slammed Vachon outside the ring to the concrete floor. Curt Hennig had the match nearly won earlier via his HENNIG PLEX, but Albano interfered with the ref’s count. Later, Larry Hennig snuck to ringside to return the interference favor.

In a nontitle match, Rikidozan and Giant Baba (w/ Jushin Liger) d. BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) when Rikidozan caught Animal with a quick sunset flip and a pin, aided by the fact that, unseen by the ref, Liger had hit Animal in the back of the head from the edge of the mat. Rikidozan did not tag in Baba during the match. Afterward, the Road Warriors were visibly unhappy about the turn of events in their warmup to their War Games match.

Bobby Heenan and Don Muraco came out. Heenan said his “family” had been nearly wiped out about Timber, the Insane Lumberjack. Heenan said he realized Timber would be wrestling for his BCW career at Invasion, but he and Muraco wanted to end it tonight! Timber came to the ring to answer the challenge.

Don Muraco (w/ Bobby Heenan) d. Timber, pinning him after an over-the-shoulder backbreaker. Muraco also unleashed a couple of Asiatic Spikes during the match, which he mostly controlled, although Timber had his moments as well. Afterward, Muraco and Heenan put the boots to Timber until security broke it up.

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race d. George Hackenschmidt in a nontitle match when he caught Hackenschmidt with his PILEDRIVER. Hackenschmidt gave as good as he got in wrestling perhaps his best match of the year, and he had Race in trouble numerous times in what was supposed to be a warm-up match for Invasion.

As Race celebrated after the finish, four fans came over the rails. They turned out to be the Steiners and the Briscos, the two teams for BWF in the four-man tag elimination match at Invasion. As they threatened to get into the ring, a recovered Hackenschmidt came up from behind and put Race in the RUSSIAN BEAR HUG! As the Steiners and the Briscos fought off security, another man wearing a hoodie came over the rail, jumped into the ring and drilled Hackenschmidt with a punch. He then threw back his hood to reveal five-time former BCW U.S. champ and former Race teammate “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers! Hackenschmidt, the Briscos and the Steiners fled the scene as Rogers helped Race back to his feet while the crowd went wild at the apparent return to BCW of the “Nature Boy.”

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD NO. 24

Invasion PPV – Daytona Beach Oceanfront Center

With BCW careers on the line, the Invasion part of the PPV began.

Larry Hennig (w/ Curt Hennig) d. former BCW U.S. heavyweight champion Dan Severn to keep his spot in BCW. A pair of AXES took Severn down after what had been a very competitive match. Buddy Rogers, a former hated rival from Severn’s BCW days, appeared at ringside during the match, which seemed to unsettle Severn a bit.

Mad Dog Vachon and Capt. Lou Albano retained their spots in BCW by d. the Samoan Island Tribe when Vachon nailed Alofa with a PILEDRIVER. Vachon was a man possessed throughout the match, and the cautious captain was never tagged in.

The Sandman returned to BCW by d. Timber the Insane Lumberjack, pinning him after a Heinekerana. The match turned into a bizarre contest when Bobby Heenan came to ringside to support the Sandman. Then Sir Oliver Humperdink came to ringside to root on Timber. Both interfered at key points in the match to prevent pins, but the Sandman finally got the job done. Heenan went to shake hands with the Sandman afterward, but he just pushed Heenan away and walked on.

The New Age Outlaws d. Koko B. Ware and Playboy Buddy Rose to secure a spot in BCW when B.G. James pinned Ware following a SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL KNEE DROP. Rose, a BCW original, and Ware gave as good as they got, but in the end the New Age Outlaws were too powerful for them. The pair got a nice ovation as they departed BCW.

Former BCW world heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine turned to the federation when he d. the Terrible Turk by DQ. The Turk’s alliance with the Iron Sheik proved to be his downfall, as the Sheik interfered on his behalf and slammed Valentine to the floor outside the ring, causing the DQ. The two then put the boots to Valentine until officials broke it up.

In a bizarre match, Giant Baba (w/ Rikidozan, Jushin Liger) d. fellow Japanese star Tiger Mask by DQ when Rikidozan and Jushin Liger apparently turned on Baba and attacked him from behind as Tiger Mask was going for a jump from the top turnbuckle. The referee did not know how else to interpret the surprise attack except to DQ Tiger Mask. Afterward, Rikidozan and Liger got in some more kicks against their former teammate before leaving in apparent disgust.

WAR GAMES

Falls Count Anywhere Match (2 points): Tommy “Wildfire” Rich d. Diamond Dallas Page when he pinned Page following a piledriver. The pair were pretty evenly matched, and the action involved a lot of objects outside the ring. However, Page got ambushed when BCW rival Buff Bagwell, hidden in the crowd, belted Page with a pair of brass knuckles, making him easy prey for Rich.

BWF leads, 2-0

Chain Match (2 points): Wahoo McDaniel d. Don Muraco when he pinned Muraco after a Wahoo suplex. Both men were bloody, as there were six pin attempts and numerous chain bashings between them. McDaniel, however, got the final advantage to secure the pin.

BWF leads, 4-0

Last Man Standing Match (3 points): The Big Boss Man d. Rick Rude. The Big Boss Man dominated most of the no-DQ match, especially when using his nightstick. Rude took a terrible beating and looked to be finished, but caught Boss Man with a RUDE AWAKENING. But the Boss Man avoided the pin, eventually got Rude outside the ring, used the nightstick again, then put Rude back inside the ring and finished him with a leg drop.

BWF leads, 7-0

Coffin Match (3 points): For the second year in a row, the Undertaker d. Bobo Brazil, this time in a coffin match. Brazil fought off the Undertaker for a long time, but was unable to connect with his COCO BUTT, and eventually fell victim to the master of the coffin match.

BWF leads, 10-0

Tag Team Elimination Match (4 points): The Midnight Express and the Armstrongs d. the Steiners and the Brisco brothers. 1. Rick Steiner was DQ’d for slamming Bob Armstrong with a chair outside the ring. 2. Scott Steiner eliminated Brad Armstrong using the Steiner Recliner. 3. The Midnight Express eliminated Jack Brisco using the VEG-O-MATIC. 4. Scott Steiner and Bob Armstrong were eliminated when both got into a brawl outside the ring and did not return by the 10-count. Armstrong got the worst end of the deal from Steiner. 5. Jerry Brisco, after a long, valiant effort against the Midnight Express, was eliminated by a Stan Lane SUPERKICK. The Midnight Express celebrated with Jim Cornette, whose interference was a key to the victory.

BWF leads, 10-4

Ladder Match (5 points): U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan d. Intercontinental champion Magnum T.A. when he caught Magnum with a MORMON SWING and was able to climb the ladder and capture the mock belt. Both big men showed agility and strength, but Jonathan was just too much for Magnum.

BWF leads, 10-9

Lumberjack Match (6 points): BCW world tag-team champs The Road Warriors d. BWF world tag-team champs Steven Regal and Dean Malenko when Malenko was taken down by the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. The technically adept BWF wrestlers were no match for the raw power of the Warriors – Malenko and Regal got dumped on the outside often and took a lot of abuse from the BCW wrestlers at ringside.

BCW leads, 15-10

Cage Match (7 points): BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race d. BWF world heavyweight champion Shawn Michaels to secure the War Games victory for BCW, 22-10. Michaels showed plenty of offense in the back-and-forth match, and even managed to kick out after a Race PILEDRIVER, but Race ran him up against the cage a couple of times, then pinned him after a diving headbutt. BCW fans were chanting, “BCW! BCW!” afterward and even cheered the usually booed Race.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 25

Bithloplex

Commissioner Chad opened the card by saying the Invasion PPV/War Games was great, especially since BCW notched another victory. He added that he had even better ideas for next year’s event. He noted that two cards from the current one would be the annual Tampa Tournament, in which 32 wrestlers would vie in a single-elimination tournament to see who got a shot at BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race. The commissioner said Race would be interviewed by Bill Apter later on the card.

Johnny Rodz d. Buddy Rogers by DQ when BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race came to ringside and gave Rodz a clothesline that left him lying on the floor outside the ring. Rogers had slipped to the outside of the ring after losing his advantage for the first time in his return match. When Rodz followed, Race showed up and attacked. Rogers then shook Race’s hand before leaving the ring area, apparently making the two stars even after Rogers helped save Race at the card before Invasion.

The Killer Bees d. the Fabulous Kangaroos (w/ Wild Red Berry) by DQ when Berry was caught running B. Brian Blair into a ringpost while Blair was outside the ring. The match was long and very even up until the interference by Berry, who appeared unhappy afterward about losing to the Bees.

Johnny Valentine d. Danny Hodge by countout when, unseen by the referee, the Iron Sheik rammed Hodge into the steel guardrail outside the ring, knocking him out. He then pointed at Valentine and made the throat-slashing symbol.

Steve Corino came to ringside with Diamond Dallas Page, and he called out ex-tag partner Buff Bagwell. “No more running, Buff – it’s time to settle this.” Bagwell and tag partner Ray Stevens headed to ringside.

Diamond Dallas Page and Steve Corino d. Buff Bagwell and Ray Stevens by DQ when Stevens, not the legal man at the time in the match, rammed Page into a ringpost. Before that, the two feuding sides seemed pretty evenly matched.

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race was the guest on Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat.” Apter wanted to know if Race was any closer to choosing the new members of his “organization.” Race said that he was much closer, that there were a lot of good candidates, including Buddy Rogers, but there were no announcements yet. Apter asked if Race would face Don Leo Jonathan if the longtime U.S. heavyweight champion challenged him. Race said he would face “anyone who has earned it,” but wouldn’t say if Jonathan had.

Jushin Liger and Rikidozan d. S+S by DQ when Giant Baba came to ringside and started attacking Liger and Rikidozan, who quickly fled the scene, with Baba chasing them to the back. George South and Larry Sharpe simply watched the proceedings once Baba attacked.

U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan came to ringside. He took the mike and called out “the betrayer” George Hackenschmidt, saying someone needed to make him pay for what he tried to do to BCW, and “payment time starts today.” Hackenschmidt, greeted by a chorus of boos, headed to the ring.

George Hackenschmidt d. U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan in a nontitle match. He caught Jonathan with a keylock armbar, and the Iron Sheik ran to the ring and told the ref to call for the bell, saying it was obvious Jonathan was trying to tap out, although it did not appear that he was. Once the bell rang, the Iron Sheik got into the ring and held up Hackenschmidt’s hand, and then both put the boots to the U.S. champ before leaving the ring together as the crowd booed.

Commissioner Chad came out to announce that he had a special request for a match – Sir Oliver Humperdink asked that his wrestler, Harker Dirge, be allowed to face the Sandman, who eliminated Timber at Invasion to return to BCW. The commissioner said he had approved the request and decided to make the match a no-DQ one, because “I think they both will like that.” He also said the match was next on the card.

“Bloody” Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. the Sandman when Dirge pinned him after a flying knee drop. Thanks to the no-DQ rules, the two spent as much time out of the ring as in, but the turn came when Humperdink smacked the Sandman with his cane from behind while both were outside the ring, giving Dirge the advantage he needed to close out the match.

BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors d. the Hennigs when Animal caught Curt Hennig by surprise with a POWER SLAM to get the pin. Curt Hennig had enjoyed a pretty good run during the match against both Hawk and Animal, but when he got too cocky, he paid for it. Afterward, BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race came to ringside and was seen pointing at Curt Hennig while talking with Curt’s father and tag-team partner, Larry Hennig.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 26

Eddie Graham Sports Stadium

Jimmy Snuka made his return to BCW action by d. George South, pinning him after a cross-body block off the turnbuckle. South tried attacking Snuka before the bell, but that simply enraged Snuka, who took it out on South. Snuka looked to be in good shape ahead of the 32-man Tampa Tournament.

The Killer Bees d. Buff Bagwell and Ray Stevens by DQ when Jim Brunzell was attacked by Stevens, via a jumping knee smash, as he went to pin Bagwell following a BEE STING. The match was a wild one, with an in-ring brawl and excessive hostility from two teams that did not appear to like each other.

Johnny Rodz d. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams by DQ when Williams Dr. Bombed him onto the floor outside the ring. Williams looked to be frustrated because the match with Rodz was supposed to be a warm-up for the Tampa Tournament. However, Rodz was not an easy pin and even survived an OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE.

Giant Baba came to ringside and called out Rikidozan and Jushin Liger, vowing to take both of them on in the ring. As they headed to ringside, so did Commissioner Chad, who said it would be unfair to have a 2-on-1 handicap match when it could be a tag match, if Baba had a partner. The commissioner said he knew just the guy for this feud – Danny Hodge!

Jushin Liger and Rikidozan d. Danny Hodge and Giant Baba when Liger pinned Hodge after a FISHERMAN’S BUSTER. However, before Rikidozan could step in, Giant Baba got into the ring and gave Liger a NECKBREAKER DROP, injuring him. Baba pointed at Rikidozan afterward.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured former BCW world heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine. Valentine said that now that he was back in BCW, he was looking to regain the championship belt. Valentine said that going into the Tampa Tournament, he wasn’t afraid of any of current BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race’s possible “new guys,” whoever they might be. In fact, Valentine said he feared no one in BCW. That brought out the Iron Sheik, who said that his “Foreign Legion” would destroy Valentine, which caused the two to fight until security separated them.

“Wild” Red Berry came to ringside and said his Fabulous Kangaroos should get a shot at the BCW world tag-team titles held by the Road Warriors, since the Warriors were the ones who tried to put a “hit” on them by using the Iron Sheik and the Terrible Turk at Card No. 22. Paul Ellering came out and refuted Berry’s claim, but said the Road Warriors were fighting champs and would give the Kangaroos their shot – later on the card!

Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. Curt Hennig when he pinned him following his PILEDRIVER. Hennig came to ringside alone, without his father. Albano’s interference helped clinch Vachon’s win. Then the Iron Sheik and George Hackenschmidt came to ringside and put the boots to Hennig. That finally brought out Larry Hennig, followed somewhat reluctantly by BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race. The three retreated, but it appeared that the new version of the Foreign Legion that the Iron Sheik mentioned on Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” had grown.

The Fabulous Kangaroos (w/ “Wild” Red Berry) d. the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) to capture the BCW world tag-team titles when Hawk succumbed to Al Costello’s MARBLE BOR LEGLOCK. The Kangaroos seemed to be one up on the Road Warriors from the outset, but the Warriors eventually took control of the match, with Hawk throwing Costello outside the ring. As he went to pursue Costello, Berry hit him with a telescoping rod that went unseen by the ref, making Hawk much more vulnerable to Costello’s finisher. Ellering seemed stunned afterward by the Road Warriors losing the belts and their continued difficulties in beating the Kangaroos.

Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae Martinez) d. Diamond Dallas Page using a piledriver. Both wrestlers used a variety of tactics and moves as a form of practice ahead of the Tampa Tournament, but Rude finally took control of the match and won. He then gyrated over Page’s prone form afterward.

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race d. Steve Corino by using a cross-body block off the turnbuckle to get the pin. Afterward, Larry Hennig came to ringside to celebrate with Race and give Corino a boot or two.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 27

Tampa Armory (Tampa Tournament)

Stan Lane (w/ Jim Cornette) d. B. Brian Blair in the opening match of the 32-man random-draw tournament when he caught Blair with his SUPERKICK. The match went for a long time, despite interference from Cornette aimed at ending it early.

B.G. James d. Curt Hennig when Hennig was counted out for arguing with BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race, who was sitting at ringside watching to see who would be his opponent in two cards. The discussion seemed to center on the fact that Hennig did not finish off James earlier in the match. A disgusted Hennig walked away from ringside, giving the match, which had been a mostly even affair, to a confused James.

Don Muraco (w/ Bobby Heenan) d. the Sandman when the Sandman was DQ’s for hitting Heenan with his SINGAPORE CANE. The Sandman was preparing to go off the top rope onto Muraco when distractions by Heenan helped change his mind to go after the manager.

Ivan Koloff, in his return from injury, d. Danny Hodge using his RUSSIAN BEARHUG. Koloff looked sharp in his first match back.

Buff Bagwell d. Jim Brunzell using a BUFF BLOCKBUSTER.

Steve Corino upset former BCW world heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil when Brazil was DQ’d for his actions outside the ring. Brazil had the advantage early, but couldn’t pin the feisty Corino. When Corino rolled outside the ring, a frustrated Brazil followed and took Corino’s kendo stick, which was at ringside, and whacked him with it, prompting the DQ.

Larry Hennig d. Yukon Eric using his AXE in a great matchup of powerful men, both of whom got pin attempts before Hennig finally succeeded following his finisher.

George Hackenschmidt (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. “Bloody” Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by pinning him after a wrist lock suplex. A chorus of “traitor” chants reigned throughout the match, and Dirge pretty much gave as good as he got for a long time before Hackenschmidt’s surprise pin.

The Iron Sheik (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. Diamond Dallas Page due to interference by Albano, who helped break up a pin attempt by Page after a DIAMOND CUTTER and later tripped Page, allowing the Iron Sheik to nail a cross-body block for the pin.

Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae Martinez) d. former BCW world heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine by DQ when Valentine threw down Ida Mae in an attempt to get to Rude outside the ring. Valentine acted like a man possessed with the idea of getting to the Iron Sheik in the next round, dominating the match but ultimately losing control of it at the end.

Rikidozan d. former BCW world heavyweight champion Jimmy Snuka using his THUNDEROUS CHOPS. Snuka connected on a SUPERFLY LEAP earlier in the match, but was not able to get the pin. Rikidozan then got the advantage while both were outside the ring.

“The Crippler” Ray Stevens upset “Dr. Death” Steve Williams when he caught Williams with a dropkick out of nowhere and got the pin. The key to Stevens’ victory was his resiliency in surviving a prodigious offensive attack by Williams.

U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan d. former BCW world heavyweight champion Giant Baba in a classic battle of behemoths when Jonathan finally was able to use his MORMON SWING. Both men got in plenty of offense before the final pin came.

Kip James d. Bob Armstrong in a long, well-fought match when James caught Armstrong with his STANDING LEG DROP.

“Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers d. Brad Armstrong when he threw Armstrong out of the ring and Armstrong hit the steel rails at ringside, stunning him to the point that he couldn’t make the 10-count to return to the ring. Rogers looked to be in top form.

Bobby Eaton (w/ Jim Cornette) d. Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) in a brutal match when Eaton finally gained control using a sleeper hold. Vachon bit Eaton in the head several times during the bout, which also featured a lot of interference by both managers.

END OF ROUND OF 32

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 27 (continued)

Bill Apter hosted the Road Warriors and manager Paul Ellering on his “Hot Seat.” Hawk said they wanted a rematch with the Fabulous Kangaroos for the BCW tag-team titles, and had requested such of Commissioner Chad. Ellering said they had even proposed a “twist or two” to get the title shot. Apter said he would have the Fabulous Kangaroos and manager “Wild” Red Berry on his “Hot Seat” at the end of the next round of the tournament to get their reaction.

ROUND OF 16

B.G. James d. Stan Lane (w/ Jim Cornette) by DQ after Cornette was busted for trying to hit James with his tennis racket. Earlier in the match, Cornette delayed James’ pin attempt after James caught Lane with his PUMP HANDLE SLAM.

Ivan Koloff d. Don Muraco (w/ Bobby Heenan) by countout in a great match between two heavyweights. The surprise came when Capt. Lou Albano came to ringside to watch the match. Both men had their moments in the back-and-forth bout. The end came when Koloff threw Muraco outside the ring. While Heenan complained to the ref, Mad Dog Vachon came out of nowhere to give Muraco a nasty clothesline, and Muraco could not make it back to the ring on time. Strangely enough, Heenan did not appear visibly upset by the turn of events. Meanwhile, Koloff left with Vachon and Albano, by all appearances indicating he was at least allied with the Foreign Legion, if not a part of it.

Buff Bagwell d. former tag-team partner Steve Corino, pinning him after a double-arm DDT. Corino did not put up much of a fight in the match, as he appeared to still be recovering from Brazil’s kendo-stick attack a round earlier.

George Hackenschmidt (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. Larry Hennig using his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Curt Hennig did not show up at ringside for his father’s match. Larry Hennig looked to be getting some retaliation for Hackenschmidt’s attack on BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race before the Invasion PPV, as he dominated the first half of the match and doled out a solid amount of punishment. Hackenschmidt rallied behind some timely interference by Albano and eventually locked on his finisher.

Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) vs. the Iron Sheik (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) ended in a double DQ when both men engaged in a slugfest outside the ring and had no apparent intention of getting back in the squared circle, as tempers were hot between the two.

Ray Stevens d. Rikidozan after a second BOMBS AWAY kneedrop. The match was a solid one for both men, but Stevens’ victory advanced him all the way to the semifinals due to the double DQ in the previous match.

U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan d. Kip James using his MORMON SWING in a match mostly dominated by Jonathan.

“Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers d. Bobby Eaton (w/ Jim Cornette) in what was perhaps the best match of the tournament up to that point, as the long, winding bout saw both men pushed to the limit. Despite constant interference by Cornette, Rogers finally pinned Eaton following an atomic drop.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 27 (continued)

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured the members of the BCW world tag-team champion Fabulous Kangaroos and their manager, “Wild” Red Berry. Apter noted that Commissioner Chad also was joining them. The commissioner offered the tag champs two scenarios: 1. Face the Road Warriors in a cage match for the title. 2. A three-way match with the Road Warriors and another team. The commissioner said he would need a decision in two cards. The Kangaroos then threw a fit about their options, with Berry yelling that they “shouldn’t have to face the Road Warriors at all!”

ROUND OF EIGHT

Ivan Koloff (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. B.G. James to secure a spot in the semifinals. Koloff attacked James with his chain to within an inch of being disqualified, then finished him off with his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. James put up a valiant fight, but he was overmatched.

George Hackenschmidt (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. Buff Bagwell, using his wristlock suplex to get the pin. Hackenschmidt had his hands full with Bagwell until his reverse maneuver into the suplex won the day. However, Albano ended up with a problem after the match: His two wrestlers slated to face off in the semifinals.

Ray Stevens got a bye.

BCW U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan d. five-time former BCW U.S. champ “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers when he caught Rogers with a sunset flip after coming off the ropes and got the pin. The match was a great one, going back and forth before Jonathan finally won.

END OF ROUND OF EIGHT

Capt. Lou Albano came to ringside and called for Commissioner Chad. When the commissioner came out, Albano asked for a switch in the brackets so that his two wrestlers did not have to face each other in the semifinals. The commissioner pondered it for a moment, then agreed to the plan, but he cautioned Albano that if both of his men made it to the final, they would have to wrestle a legitimate match and not have one take a dive. Albano agreed.

SEMIFINALS

Ivan Koloff (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) reached the finals by d. Ray Stevens via a falling face slam. Stevens almost had a pin of Koloff early in the match after utilizing his BOMBS AWAY knee drop, but Albano’s interference effort distracted the ref. Later, Koloff was able to get some shots in using his chain, which led to the pin and Stevens’ first singles loss in BCW.

George Hackenschmidt (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) d. U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan by using his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Jonathan fell victim to Albano’s plan, as twice Hackenschmidt threw Jonathan out of the ring so Albano could give him cheap shots. That set him up for Hackenschmidt’s submission finisher, making it the second time Jonathan had lost to Hackenschmidt following Hackenschmidt’s “ betrayal,” although neither time involved a title change.

END OF SEMIFINALS

During the intermission before the final, Albano came to ringside and took a seat opposite Harley Race, showing his apparent neutrality regarding the final.

FINAL

Ivan Koloff, capping off a comeback from injury during BCW’s tough-man competition, d. George Hackenschmidt to win the Tampa Tournament and get a shot at BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race. It was a matchup of similar finishes – the RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Koloff finally got it latched on to Hackenschmidt, who battled to finally break the hold, only to succumb to a falling face slam. Albano came to ringside to raise both men’s hands, but it will be Koloff facing Race in two cards.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD 28

Orange County Convention Center

Commissioner Chad announced at the beginning of the card that the Road Warriors would get a shot at the BCW world tag-team champions Fabulous Kangaroos on this card – in a six-man tag match that would also feature the teams’ respective managers!

Bob and Brad Armstrong d. Ray Stevens and Buff Bagwell when Bob Armstrong caught Stevens with a surprise sunset flip to get the pin. The long match went back and forth, with a taunting Bagwell constantly getting under the skin of the Armstrongs.

Ted DiBiase made his return from injury, and as he headed to ringside, so did Commissioner Chad. The commissioner took the mike and said he was glad that DiBiase was back, but he had a special request for his first match back – from his former valet, Virgil!

The match between Ted DiBiase and Virgil ended in a double DQ, with both men brawling outside the ring. Apparently, Virgil had some pent-up issues from being DiBiase’s valet in the past. It took officials a while to break things up, and DiBiase was overheard saying, “I’ve changed, Virgil, I’ve changed.”

The Hennigs d. S+S by DQ when S+S teamed up to beat on Curt Hennig outside the ring. Curt refused to tag in his father during the match, instead tussling with George South until throwing him outside the ring. When he came out after South, Larry Sharpe jumped him and South joined in, while Larry Hennig simply left ringside. Officials were back at ringside once again to break up a brawl.

Buddy Rogers came to ringside, took the mike and announced that he really needed to get good matches in the aftermath of the Tampa Tournament, especially since the five-time former U.S. champion was close to beating current U.S. champ Don Leo Jonathan. In fact, he wondered if there were a former champ in the back who’d like to face him. Out came BCW’s first career holder of all three belts, Bobo Brazil!

Buddy Rogers d. Bobo Brazil when the “Nature Boy” pinned him following a dropkick. Brazil had gotten out of a FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE by reversing it, but was left vulnerable to the dropkick. Afterward, Rogers yelled, “We’re not done yet, Jonathan!”

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured Ivan Koloff, the winner of the Tampa Tournament. Koloff said he was fully recovered from the injuries sustained at the hands of “Dr. Death” Steve Williams during the tough-man tournament, with the proof being his run through Tampa, defeating Danny Hodge, Don Muraco, B.G. James, Ray Stevens and George Hackenschmidt. He said there was no bad blood between him and new teammate Hackenschmidt. When he started talking about the title, BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race showed up and said Koloff “would go down.” Koloff said his team would be in his corner, as would “commander” Lou Albano, but where was Race’s alleged team? Race said he’d be enough as the two men stared each other down before being separated.

The New Age Outlaws d. the Killer Bees by DQ when, outside the ring, Jim Brunzell plowed into Kip James after being tripped by B.G. James, and the ref DQ’d Brunzell, not having seen the trip. The Bees had been mostly in control of the match before then.

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and said he stuck Danny Hodge in a feud match with Giant Baba, Rikidozan and Jushin Liger a couple of cards ago, and that wasn’t too fair to Hodge, who had no real role in the feud, other than being a foe of Liger’s. Therefore, to make it up to Hodge, the commissioner said he would give him a title shot against U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan – right now!

U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan d. Danny Hodge by pinning him after an atomic drop. Hodge fought relentlessly and even survived a MORMON SWING, but still fell to the much larger Jonathan. Afterward, he helped up Hodge, shook his hand, then took the house microphone and announced, “Don’t think I forgot about you, Betrayer, because I haven’t. I now owe you two, Hackenschmidt, and I’ll be collecting soon.”

Johnny Valentine d. the Iron Sheik (w/ Commander Lou Albano) by DQ when the Sheik and allies Mad Dog Vachon and George Hackenschmidt pummeled Valentine outside the ring. The match was wild from the start, as during introductions, the Iron Sheik attacked and slapped the CAMEL CLUTCH on Valentine. Then he threw Valentine outside the ring, where his allies ran down to join in the pummeling before officials broke things up.

The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering d. the BCW world tag-team champion Fabulous Kangaroos and “Wild” Red Berry in a six-man tag match when Animal pinned Berry after a flying shoulder ram. The Warriors pulled Berry into the ring after he received an inadvertent tag from Roy Heffernan and proceeded to pummel him before getting the pin. However, while Al Costello was checking on Berry, and Hawk and Ellering were celebrating the victory, Heffernan slipped into the ring and drilled Animal in the back of the knee with a boomerang, injuring the Road Warrior. As Ellering and Hawk checked on their teammate, fans wondered if the Road Warriors would be healthy enough to take on the Fabulous Kangaroos for the tag titles at Wrestlethon.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD NO. 29

Bayfront Center – St. Petersburg

Ray Stevens and Buff Bagwell d. S+S when Stevens pinned Larry Sharpe following a double underhook suplex. Before the match, Bagwell was taunting announcer Gary Michael Cappetta, which put Sharple on the attack. Bagwell quickly tagged out to Stevens, and that was pretty much all she wrote.

Bobby Heenan came to ringside with Don Muraco, grabbed the microphone and asked, “Can anyone in BCW truly defeat the Magnificent Muraco?” While Muraco took time to flex his muscles, who came to ringside but former two-time BCW world heavyweight champion Jimmy Snuka.

Don Muraco (w/ Bobby Heenan) d. Jimmy Snuka using his HAWAIIAN HAMMER. Muraco dominated most of the match, as Snuka seemed bothered by Heenan’s distractions and was off his game. Afterward, as Muraco was coming back up the isle, out of nowhere he got clotheslined by Larry Hennig. Then BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race came out and gave Muraco a piledriver onto the concrete floor as Heenan ran to the back. Muraco was seriously injured, and fans were stunned by the turn of events. Did it mean Snuka was a part of Race’s new faction? Neither Race nor Hennig acknowledged Snuka, who was still recovering in the ring. Meanwhile, Muraco’s injury meant there was no one left in the Heenan stable of wrestlers.

The Armstrongs d. the Jersey Boys when Brad Armstrong pinned Steve Corino following his RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP. Diamond Dallas Page controlled the first part of the match against Bob Armstrong, but Corino later lost momentum against the younger Armstrong.

Johnny Valentine came out and called out the Iron Sheik. That brought out Foreign Legion Commander Lou Albano, who said Valentine hadn’t “earned” his shot at the Iron Sheik. But he said Valentine had earned another bite from the dog who bit him before – Mad Dog Vachon!

Johnny Valentine d. Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) using his ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER at the end of a long, back-and-forth match that saw both men have pin attempts and spend a lot of time outside the ring battering one another.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured the BCW world tag-team champion Fabulous Kangaroos and “Wild” Red Berry, along with Commissioner Chad. The commissioner began by announcing that the injury to Road Warrior Animal meant he wouldn’t be back until the beginning of Year Five. The Fabulous Kangaroos appeared happy by the news that they wouldn’t be facing the Road Warriors at Wrestlethon. Berry said it would only be fair for his team to take the night off at Wrestlethon. Commissioner Chad said not so fast. He said there would be a three-way dance for the tag titles at Wrestlethon, and the opponents would be decided by two tag matches coming up on the card. He also said that the teams were taking a risk, because the team that loses the match by pinfall or DQ at Wrestlethon would be gone from BCW!!! The Fabulous Kangaroos threw a fit, while the commissioner just smiled.

Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams qualified for the tag championship match at Wrestlethon by d. the Killer Bees via DQ in what was described as a “weird” match. The Killer Bees surprisingly maintained control of the action throughout the match, but were DQ’d when, after B.Brian Blair mistakenly ran into the turnbuckle and DiBiase went for the pin, Jim Brunzell jumped into the ring and unleased a KILLER DROPKICK so blatant that the ref called for the DQ.

U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan came to ringside and called out George Hackenschmidt, saying he wanted to break his losing streak to the “traitor.” Once again, Commander Lou Albano came out and said that Jonathan obviously hadn’t paid attention to how the game was played – there was no way he was getting Hackenschmidt, but he could get … the Iron Sheik!

The Iron Sheik (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan by DQ in a nontitle match when Johnny Valentine ran to ringside and attacked the Iron Sheik, causing officials to run to ringside to break it up, along with other members of the Foreign Legion. Hackenschmidt made sure to stay away from Jonathan.

The Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette) d. the New Age Outlaws in a great match when Bobby Eaton connected on a Divorce Court armbar takedown against Kip James, who had been tripped up not by Jim Cornette (who had interfered elsewhere in the match), but by Brad Armstrong, who had come to ringside and apparently was unhappy that the Armstrongs were not in a qualifying match for the BCW tag titles and the newcomer New Age Outlaws were. Before that, the two sides were tied up in an even match with very few pin attempts. With the victory, the Midnight Express will be part of the three-way dance at Wrestlethon.

Ivan Koloff (w/ Commmander Lou Albano) d. BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race (w/ Larry Hennig) by DQ in a best-of-three-falls match, so Race retained the title. In the first fall, Koloff attacked Race before the bell, bashing him with his chain. Koloff beat on Race for a while until Race got his feet under him and attacked back. Finally, Koloff came off the ropes, caught Race in a sunset flip and got the surprise pin. At that point, George Hackenschmidt came to ringside to join Albano in rooting on Koloff. In the second fall, Race came out of the corner and took control on offense, eventually getting Koloff in an Indian deathlock, and Koloff tapped out. In the third fall, Race took Koloff outside the ring, and he and Hennig started attacking him together, including running him into a steel post. The ref called for the DQ as Hackenschmidt got involved. Mad Dog Vachon and the Iron Sheik also ran to ringside and started to turn the tide on Race and Hennig. Then the New Age Outlaws came down and joined in the fighting on Race’s side! The Foreign Legion finally backed down as Race and company got back into the ring – and flashed the four-fingers sign! Race’s new faction appeared to be complete.

[KellyMonro007]

Thoroughly entertaining Fed! Keep it up!

Kelly

[The Creek Rises]

Thanks, Kelly!

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD NO. 30

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium

The New Age Outlaws came to ringside and took the microphone while showing four fingers. B.G. James said they are part of the King’s Horsemen now, and everyone in BCW knew who the real king was – BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race. James said they should have been in the tag title showdown at Wrestlethon, but they weren’t – and the Armstrongs were to blame for that, and they would have to pay … immediately. James challenged the Armstrongs to a match later in the card: “It’ll be a real family affair – like ‘The Godfather.’”

The BCW world tag team champion Fabulous Kangaroos (w/ “Wild” Red Berry) d. S+S in a nontitle match when George South submitted to Al Costello’s MARBLE BOR LEGLOCK. The Kangaroos made short work of S+S, but still seemed unhappy about the three-way tag-title match at Wrestlethon.

Yukon Eric d. Johnny Rodz using his KODIAK KRUNCH backbreaker.

Jimmy Snuka and the Sandman battled to a double DQ outside the ring, with both grapplers using objects to attack the other by the end of the bout. Finally, Snuka rocked the Sandman with a chair, stunning him. Then he took ringside mike and said, “Seems like my automatic rematch for the BCW heavyweight title got forgotten somewhere. I’m cashing it in … at Wrestlethon.” Snuka threw the microphone down and left the ring.

In a matchup of tag-title contenders, Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams d. the Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette) when Stan Lane succumbed to DiBiase’s FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. The Midnight Express dominated most of the match with quick tags and slick maneuvers (and Cornette interference), and they were going for the VEG-O-MATIC when Al Costello of the tag-champion Fabulous Kangaroos interfered and, unseen by the referee, tumbled Bobby Eaton from the top rope to the mat. While the ref and Cornette went to check on Eaton, Williams put the OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE on Lane. Williams then tagged in DiBaise, who finished Lane. Cornette was furious afterward.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers. Apter asked him about not being in the King’s Horsemen. Rogers said he and Race had come to an understanding that they had different goals this time around in BCW. Rogers reminded Apter that he was a five-time U.S. champ who wanted a sixth run at the belt, “and I know I can beat Don Leo Jonathan.” Rogers then added that “After that, I think it’s about time I made a run at the world heavyweight title.” As he went on, Larry Hennig and the New Age Outlaws showed up at ringside and started pummeling Rogers, finally giving him a group piledriver and injuring him. Hennig then took the microphone from Apter and said, “Here’s a message from the King: A world title run wasn’t part of the deal.” Hennig then left the area, while the New Age Outlaws waiting for their match and officials tended to Rogers.

The Armstrongs d. the New Age Outlaws by DQ when Larry Hennig came back to ringside and the three Horsemen attacked the Armstrongs, who had numerous pin attempts throughout the match and generally controlled the action until the beatdown.

Giant Baba came to ringside and called out Rikidozan. That brought down Commissioner Chad, who told Baba that the matchup would have to wait until Wrestlethon. Baba shook his head, so the commissioner thought for a moment and then said the match against Rikidozan would have to be for something, so it would be for the type of match they’d have at Wrestlethon. If Rikidozan won, it would be a first blood match, while if Baba was the winner, it would be a chain match. Baba agreed, and Rikidozan came to ringside shaking his head “yes” as well.

Giant Baba d. Rikidozan by countout in a long, fierce battle when he threw Rikidozan into the guardrail outside the ring and Rikidozan was not able to get back into the ring by the 10-count. Both men had pin attempts inside the squared circle, but their resiliency and hatred for one another kept a final decision at bay. As a result of the countout, they will have a chain match at Wrestlethon.

The commissioner came back out to announce that Don Leo Jonathan and the Iron Sheik would have a nontitle rematch next – but there would be no interference on either side, and Commander Lou Albano could not be at ringside! Commissioner Chad said that anyone who broke the rule would be suspended.

The Iron Sheik d. U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan in a nontitle match using his CAMEL CLUTCH. The key moment was when the Iron Sheik hit Jonathan with his apparently gimmicked boot, which seemed to have a great effect on the U.S. champ. The Iron Sheik kept the CAMEL CLUTCH on Jonathan until officials broke it up – an apparent attempt to weaken Jonathan ahead of his Wrestlethon match against Sheik’s teammate, George Hackenschmidt.

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race and Larry Hennig d. George Hackenschmidt and Ivan Koloff (w/ Commander Lou Albano) by countout when Hackenschmidt was unable to make it back to the ring after been thrown out by Race. After Hackenschmidt hit the ground, Race began bickering with the ref while Bobby Heenan came down the aisle to help him up. While he was holding Hackenschmidt’s hand, Hennig snuck up and nailed him with a clothesline. Hennig and Heenan then went back to ringside and joined Race in the ring after the countout was made. A furious Koloff pointed at Race and Heenan, while fans in turn pointed to the entryway, where Jimmy Snuka stood making the sign of the belt at Race. It looked as if Race had two challengers for his title – and a new manager!

[KellyMonro007]

Great matches and I dig the storylines going on here!

Kelly

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD NO. 31

City Auditorium – Ocala

Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase, in a warm-up match ahead of the Wrestlethon PPV, d. S+S when Williams pinned Larry Sharpe following an OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE. During the match, S+S got control after the Fabulous Kangaroos’ Al Costello got to ringside and tripped up Williams, who was almost pinned by Sharpe. The ref spied Costello and sent him to the back.

Commissioner Chad came out and said there were some big decisions as to who would be facing Harley Race in the world heavyweight title match at Wrestlethon. He called out Jimmy Snuka and Ivan Koloff, and told both men that they deserved a shot at Race. The commissioner then said the easiest way to settle it was to have the two wrestle each other tonight, with the winner getting Race at Wrestlethon, and the loser getting him in the second card next year. Race came out and applauded the move. The commissioner added that it was only fair that Race should have an opponent as well on this card, so he’d be in a nontitle match against Yukon Eric. Race stopped clapping, looked disgusted and returned to the back. Commissioner Chad also said that the tag teams not in the title match at Wrestlethon would be in a battle royal, with the winner getting a shot at the tag champs at Card No. 2 next year.

Curt Hennig came to ringside, took the mike from the commissioner and called out Mad Dog Vachon. He said, “We need to finish this before Wrestlethon!” Commissioner Chad then asked why Hennig wanted a PPV match before the PPV? Hennig said he planned to debut with a new tag-team partner at the tag battle royal, and he didn’t need the distraction, because he had enough in his life already. When the commissioner appeared doubtful, Hennig said if Vachon won now, Hennig would wrestle him again at the PPV in a first blood match, but if he won, he was off the hook. The commissioner agreed, the fans cheered and Vachon headed to the ring with Commander Lou Albano.

Curt Hennig d. Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when Hennig got Vachon to succumb to a sleeper hold. The key moment came when Albano distracted the ref from counting the pin after Hennig connected with his HENNIG PLEX. Hennig knocked Albano off the ringside apron, then finished off Vachon. He got out of the ring before the rest of the Foreign Legion could arrive.

U.S. heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan d. Johnny Rodz in a nontitle match, pinning him after a pair of atomic drops. Jonathan dominated the match and displayed a bit of extra physicality, then helped Rodz up after the pin. He then took the mike and said: “The Iron Sheik hurt me last card, but he didn’t take me out. Now I’m mad, Hackenschmidt, and what you saw here is the kind of beating I’m going to give you at Wrestlethon, except much, much worse.”

The Iron Sheik (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) by countout when Rude was attacked by Mad Dog Vachon outside the ring at the same time Albano was engaging the ref’s attention. Rude failed to get revenge for the double DQ he had against the Iron Sheik at the Tampa Tournament.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured the Armstrongs. Bob Armstrong said they were not afraid of the King’s Horsemen or especially the New Age Outlaws. He said if they wanted to keep trying the Armstrongs, the Armstrongs would be ready for them. Apter started to ask why Brad Armstrong interrupted the New Age Outlaws’ qualifying match for Wrestlethon’s triple threat tag title match, but he cut Apter off to say he eventually wanted to get a shot at Jushin Liger and the HCB. He added that they also were looking forward to the battle royal match at Wrestlethon, then he and his dad left ringside.

The New Age Outlaws (w/ Bobby Heenan) d. the Killer Bees when Kip James pinned B. Brian Blair following a STANDING LEG DROP. Heenan’s effect was felt through numerous attempts at interference during the match as the NAO picked up a big win ahead of the Wrestlethon battle royal.

BCW world heavyweight champion Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan) d. Yukon Eric in a nontitle match, pinning him after a vertical suplex and a convenient foot held by an unseen Heenan. Yukon Eric controlled the first part of the match and put Race through the paces, even applying the KODIAK KRUNCH backbreaker to Race before the champion managed to get out of the hold.

The Jersey Boys d. Ray Stevens and Buff Bagwell when Corino pinned Stevens following his OLD SCHOOL EXPULSION. While Diamond Dallas Page and Bagwell tangled afterward, Corino took his kendo stick and lashed Stevens pretty well, injuring him in the process as he gained some revenge for Bagwell stiffing him while they were tag partners.

Jimmy Snuka won the right to face Harley Race for the BCW world heavyweight championship at Wrestlethon by d. Ivan Koloff (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when he pinned Koloff following a leap frog and chop. Snuka nailed Koloff earlier with a SUPERFLY LEAP, but Albano disturbed the ref enough that the pin was not counted. The leap seemed to take a lot out of both Snuka and Koloff, but Snuka was able to pin Koloff after the chop. He was nearly too weary to celebrate the victory afterward, with Wrestlethon up next.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR FOUR, CARD NO. 32

Wrestlethon PPV – Citrus Bowl

The Sandman d. “Bloody” Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) in a no-DQ match when he blasted Dirge with his SINGAPORE CANE, then pinned him. The match lived up to its wild billing, as it was much more outside the ring than in. Fans were chanting for the cane near the end of the match, and the Sandman gave them what they were asking for.

In his return from injury, Jushin Liger retained his Hodge Championship Belt against visiting wrestler Mike Quackenbush when Quackenbush missed a jump from the top rope and Liger followed up with his FISHERMAN’S BUSTER. The match featured a lot of fast, high-flying action ahead of the pin. Liger looked to be fully recovered from his injury at the hands of Giant Baba.

The entrants for the tag battle royal were announced: Hawk, Buff Bagwell, the Armstrongs, the New Age Outlaws, the Jersey Boys, the Killer Bees, Curt Hennig and Rick Rude, who were introduced as Perfectly Rude(!), and Danny Hodge and Yukon Eric, introduced as the Oilmen (!)

(Eliminated/by whom)
Brad Armstrong (by Buff Bagwell)
Curt Hennig (by Yukon Eric)
Yukon Eric (by Rick Rude)
Danny Hodge (by Rick Rude – looked like it won’t be the last time Perfectly Rude and the Oilmen tussle)
B.G. James (by Rick Rude, who was on fire!!!)
Diamond Dallas Page (by Bob Armstrong, although more Page, as he missed Armstrong and went over the turnbuckle)
Bob Armstrong (by Rick Rude, who snuck up on him while he was battling Buff Bagwell)
Steve Corino (by Rick Rude)
Rick Rude (by Hawk, who had been somewhat hiding in the ring as the battles went on)
B. Brian Blair (by Jim Brunzell accidentally, as he was trying to eliminate Buff Bagwell)
Kip James (by Hawk)

The final three were Buff Bagwell, Jim Brunzell and Hawk

Buff Bagwell (by Jim Brunzell)
Jim Brunzell (by Hawk)

With the win, the Road Warriors will vie for the tag championship at Card No. 2 in Year Five.

George Hackenschmidt (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. U.S. champion Don Leo Jonathan by DQ, so Jonathan retained the belt. Hackenschmidt tried to jump Jonathan before the bell, but that seemed to set off the U.S. champ, and he struck back hard. He drug Hackenschmidt back into the ring, thumped him, then threw him back out of the ring. Then Albano got involved, allowing Hackenschmidt to gain control and slip on his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Jonathan eventually broke out of the hold, and the two men ended up outside the ring once again. This time, Jonathan picked up Albano and threw him into Hackenschmidt (after an unseen Albano cheap shot angered him), causing the DQ. Officials had to pull the two apart.

In a Last Man Standing match, Johnny Valentine destroyed the Iron Sheik (w/ Commander Lou Albano), hitting a series of ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHERS and causing Albano to stop the match, as the Iron Sheik was barely conscious. Valentine took out weeks of frustration against the Iron Sheik, then after the match, the former BCW world heavyweight champion made the sign of the belt.

The Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette) won an amazing three-way dance against the Fabulous Kangaroos (w/ “Wild” Red Berry) and “Dr. Death” Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase to capture the BCW tag-team titles for a record fourth time, as Bobby Eaton p. DiBiase following a surprise attack by Cornette and his tennis racket at ringside. The match was long and crazy, with all the teams having pin attempts, and multiple interference attempts by Berry and Cornette. The loss meant the BCW departures of Williams and DiBiase, who got a nice sendoff from the fans. Meanwhile, it was the second time the Kangaroos lost the belts in a three-way match in which they were not pinned.

Rikidozan d. Giant Baba in a bloody chain match that left both men battered and exhausted. There were nine pin attempts between the two before Rikidozan got Giant Baba tied to a turnbuckle, unleashed some THUNDEROUS CHOPS on him, untied him and then pinned Baba. Officials had to help both men to the back afterward.

Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan) retained his BCW world heavyweight title by d. former BCW world heavyweight champion Jimmy Snuka, 2-0, in a best-of-three-falls match. The first fall saw both men go back-and-forth without gaining a solid advantage. Snuka finally got out of the ring and pulled Race out. Heenan tried to get involved, and Snuka threw him over a guardrail. The ref DQ’d him for “excessive abuse of a manager.” (The ref did not see Heenan’s original intereference.) In the second fall, again the action went back-and-forth, but Snuka, apparently still feeling the effects of his clash with Ivan Koloff on the previous card, never really got untracked, and Race finally connected on a diving headbutt to get the pin. Race celebrated afterward, while the crowd response was somewhat muted, as two of the three title matches on the card ended with or involved odd DQ issues with managers. However, the fans had an audible reaction when Koloff appeared at the entrance and pointed at Race ahead of their upcoming bout.

[The Creek Rises]

BITHLO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING YEAR-END AWARDS – YEAR FOUR

Wrestler of the Year:

Don Leo Jonathan – Don Leo Jonathan was the U.S. champion for all of Year Four, in the process becoming the longest-reigning titleholder of any of the championship belts in BCW history – a surprise considering his up-and-down BCW career before the current year. He was a wrestling champion in Year Four, compiling a 19-8 mark. He reached the semifinals of the Tampa Tournament and engaged in a hostile end-of-the-year feud with “the traitor” George Hackenschmidt.

Runner-up: Harley Race

Top 10 Singles Wrestlers at the End of Year Four:

1. Harley Race (WHC)
2. Don Leo Jonathan (USC)
3. Ivan Koloff
4. Jimmy Snuka
5. George Hackenschmidt
6. Iron Sheik
7. Jushin Liger
8. Ray Stevens
9. Larry Hennig
10. Buddy Rogers

Tag Team of the Year:

The Fabulous Kangaroos – Led by manager “Wild” Red Berry, Al Costello and Roy Heffernan had a unique debut, with Berry first appearing in the crowds to scout other tag teams. They eventually joined BCW and won the tag titles twice during the year. They seemed to have the Road Warriors’ number, taking the belts from them both times. Conversely, they were snakebit by three-way-dance matches, twice losing the titles despite not having a wrestler pinned. Their other tough tag opponents included Giant Baba/Rikidozan, the Midnight Express and “Dr. Death” Steve Williams/Ted DiBiase.

Runner-up: Giant Baba and Rikidozan

Top Five Tag Teams at the End of Year Four:

1. The Midnight Express (WTTC)
2. The Fabulous Kangaroos
3. The Road Warriors
4. The Armstrongs
5. The New Age Outlaws

Manager of the Year:

“Wild” Red Berry – He began his BCW career as a scout, getting a feel for other tag teams before bringing in his Fabulous Kangaroos and getting them right into the thick of contention. Before long, he was the manager of the BCW tag champions, and they won the belt twice during Year Four. All he needs to do in Year Five is figure out how to win three-way-dance matches when the titles are on the line.

Runner-up: Commander Lou Albano