Booking 101: Tim's NWF

[TDalton]

2007 NWF ANNUAL AWARDS

COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Winner – RIVIERA PLAYBOYS
Runner up – Antonino Rocca
Honorable mention – Bob & Brad Armstrong

The Riviera Playboys went from 4-6 in 2006 to 14-7-1 in 2007 and led all NWF tag-teams in victories. Rocca turned in a 9-5 singles record in 2007 after a disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2006, and captured the tag belts with Ilio DiPaolo. Although the award is meant for a year-to-year turnaround, no one had a bigger comeback within the year than the Armstrongs, finishing a robust 5-1-1 after a horrid 3-11 start.


NEWCOMER(S) OF THE YEAR
Winner – STEVE WILLIAMS
Runner up – Fabulous Kangaroos
Honorable mention – Rick Rude, Ivan Koloff

Not much to argue here, as Williams won the NWF Title from the unstoppable Nick Bockwinkel at the end of August and held the belt the rest of the year. Kangaroos piled up a perfect 7-0 record, although several of those matches were against makeshift teams. Rude and Koloff both had great singles runs, tying for second most victories. Although they failed to cash in on their combined 7 title shots, the future looks bright for both heading into 2008.


SUPERCARD OF THE YEAR
Winner – SUPERBOWL OF WRESTLING 5

With the “Dream Match” of Bockwinkel and Sheik on top, the great Armstrongs / Riviera Playboys blowoff and the angle marking the return of Jim Cornette & the Midnight Express, the SUPERBOWL lived up to the hype. SUMMER SHOWDOWN had the first meeting of Bockwinkel and Williams for the title and a great blowoff to the Sheik / Koloff feud, but fell just a bit short.


FEUD OF THE YEAR
Winner – STEVE WILLIAMS vs NICK BOCKWINKEL
Runner up – Lou Albano vs Bobby Heenan
Honorable mention – Armstrongs vs Riviera Playboys, Jimmy Snuka vs Magnificent Muraco; Zbyszko vs The Sheik

Williams and Bockwinkel started up before Doc was even in the NWF. The two some serious problems over Williams being named the U.S. rep in the World League Challenge and it got even more heated when Williams arrived on the scene in June. Albano and Heenan had a great battle over manager supremacy that lasted several months. Armstrongs & Playboys lasted forever, but it was a really fun feud that almost got runner up. Snuka / Muraco was the classic, ending with Snuka’s Cage Match victory in June. Sheik finally got pinned in 2007, and his feud w/Zbyszko over the North American belt produced two Match of the Year candidates.


OUTSTANDING TAG-TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner – RIVIERA PLAYBOYS
Runner up – Bob & Brad Armstrong
Honorable mention – Antonino Rocca & Ilio DiPaolo

The “outstanding” awards are based solely on match quality during 2007. Second victory for the Playboys, based strongly around their matches with the Armstrongs, which were almost all very good. As a result of that, the Armstrongs take the runner up position. The NWF’s most popular duo of Rocca & DiPaolo had some great matches throughout the year as well, but lacked that rival feuding opponent to pile up as many as the Playboys and Armstrongs.


OUTSTANDING WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Winner – LARRY ZBYSZKO
Runner up – Nick Bockwinkel
Honorable mention – The Sheik

Talk about things you’d never see in real life! The master of the relentless stall wins Most Outstanding! The Living Legend piled up some great ones in 2007 despite not living up to his 2006 Newcomer of the Year potential. Bockwinkel always seems near the top of this list, and won in 2004. Sheik is another “surprise” on list based on real life history. Still, in the time he’s been in the NWF, he’s had a lot of very exciting matches.


BEST GOOD GUY(S) OF THE YEAR
Winner – ANTONINO ROCCA & ILIO DIPAOLO
Runner up – Steve Williams
Honorable mention – Flying Redheads, Don Leo Jonathan, Jimmy Valiant

This would equate to the “Most Popular” type of award. I get to say it one last time – Rocca & DiPaolo were the NWF’s most popular combination in 2007! When they won the tag belts, it really made them credible enough to take top honors. Williams is the first true fan favorite to hold the NWF Title for any length of time, and beat hated Nick Bockwinkel to do it. Redheads had a great year and were relentless in their pursuit of the Kangaroos. Jonathan provided fans with an early “dream match” against Bockwinkel and is still among the NWF elite singles wrestlers. Jimmy Valiant is just Jimmy Valiant. Whether he wins or loses, he gets people riled up and excited every time out.


BEST BAD GUY(S) OF THE YEAR
Winner – THE SHEIK
Runner up – Nick Bockwinkel
Honorable mention – Ivan Koloff, Masked Executioners

I can’t think of anyone who would not be cheered when taking on The Sheik. Maybe Koloff, but that’s a match where the fans would want both to be beaten up. Sheik joins Buddy Rogers as the only two-time winner of the award. Bockwinkel is runner up for the second year in a row as the pompous champ who wouldn’t lose. Koloff is an evil Russian, and it doesn’t get much more “bad guy” than that. Masked Executioners held the tag titles briefly at the beginning of the year and were Albano’s enforcers.


TAG-TEAM MATCH OF THE YEAR
Winner – LARRY & CURT HENNIG b YUKON ERIC & DANNY HODGE #238
Runner up – Nick Bockwinkel & Larry Zbyszko dq Rick Rude & The Sheik #220
Honorable mention – Albano’s Stable b Heenan Family (Elimination Match) #239; Riviera Playboys b Armstrongs #228; Bockwinkel & Stevens dq Rick Rude & Executioner #2

After holding the tag belts for 168 days, Yukon Eric & Danny Hodge were dethroned by the Hennigs in a classic back in July. The runner up was a “champions vs challengers” bout that had 17 near falls before Rude was DQ’d. The Albano / Heenan blowoff elimination match was fantastic, and marred only by a countout in the final fall. Card #228 had the best of many Atmstrongs / Playboys matches, and the Albano / Heenan feud pops up again with Bock & Stevens getting a DQ win in another 17 near fall encounter.


SINGLES MATCH OF THE YEAR
Winner – THE SHEIK b LARRY ZBYSZKO (Lumberjack Match) #227
Runner up – Nick Bockwinkel b Don Leo Jonathan #213
Honorable mention – Missing Link b Jimmy Valiant (Texas Death Match) #221; The Sheik cor Larry Zbyszko #221; Nick Bockwinkel b Curt Hennig #254; Jimmy Snuka b Magnificent Muraco (Texas Death Match) #229

Not only do Sheik and Zbyszko get the top spot, they also garner an honorable mention! The winner was a 17 near fall spectacular on par with last year’s Sheik / Bobo Brazil match that set the standard for greatness. Bock beating Jonathan was a great showdown between two of the NWF’s all-time best. Link and Valiant had fantastic brawls almost every time out, and the blowoff was the best. Bock beat Hennig before the latter became a member of the Heenan Family in a battle between to technicians that know how to bend the rules. Of the Snuka / Muraco confrontations, the Texas Death Match prelude to the Steel Cage was the best.


TAG-TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner – YUKON ERIC & DANNY HODGE
Runner up – Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens
Honorable mention – Flying Redheads, Antonino Rocca & Ilio DiPaolo, Riviera Playboys, Hennigs, Fabulous Kangaroos

Lots of contenders to choose from this year. Yukon & Hodge get the nod, as despite a lackluster 5-5-1 record, they had the second longest tag title reign in NWF history. Their loss to the Hennigs and subsequent loss in the return match were the only two pinfall defeats their entire time as a team. Bockwinkel & Stevens had a stellar record all year, but couldn’t compete for the titles since Bock held the NWF singles gold. Redheads (12) and Playboys (14) were the only teams to win more than 10 matches in 2007. Rocca & DiPaolo lived up to the fan’s expectations, capturing the titles and having a good title run. Hennigs won the gold as well, but faltered after that. Kangaroos didn’t face great competition, but put up a perfect 7-0 record since coming to the area.


WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Winner – THE SHEIK
Runner up – Nick Bockwinkel
Honorable mention – Steve Williams

In the closest race since…well…the 2006 WOTY award, and Sheik edged out Bockwinkel for the second straight year! Both men’s accomplishments are well documented. Sheik was North American champ for 10 ½ months and Bockwinkel was NWF champ for 8 months. Bockwinkel was a runner up in 7 award categories in 2007. Sheik becomes the only wrestler to win the award more than once. Steve Williams had a great debut year, taking Top Newcomer honors and holding the NWF belt for the last 4 months of the year.

There you have it - 2007 in a nutshell! You can check out prior year award winners on the “Title Histories and Other Stuff” thread at cotg.proboards12.com/index.cgi?board=lownews&action=display&thread=1170344639 which should be up to date! I’ll start posting 2008 results shortly! Thanks again to everyone for following and supporting my efforts!

[Mike M]

tdalton said:

2007 NWF ANNUAL AWARDS

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Winner – THE SHEIK

Not bad for a guy who was only supposed to spend a few weeks/months in the area!

[wildcat]

That's why the NWF is T.B.D.F.G.T.


ROLLING STONE gave it 5 out of five stars.
THE NEW YORK TIMES says it the greatest bar none.
NEWS WEEK says it's a must read.

~KB~ says plain and simple it's T.B.D.F.G.T.

THE NWF
THE BEST DAMN FED GOING TODAY!

[majorbludd]

This is awesome stuff. Between you the Olsons, Mr. Vegas, and Dayton Dave I think you've cornered the market on LOW feds

[TDalton]

Card #261 – 01/04/2008
Erie County Fieldhouse – Erie, PA

We open 2008 in Erie, PA after an incredible and surprising SUPERBOWL OF WRESTLING last week! Nick Bockwinkel (boo!) has been cleared to wrestle after his bloody battle with The Sheik had him in the hospital overnight. We’ve got a lot of other great matches including a USA/Russia confrontation along with a big tag-team main event featuring Harley Race & Larry Zbyszko taking on the Heenan Family! Let’s get to the action…

1. Danny Doring b George South
Doring has stated that 2008 will be his year of greatness, but South surprised him with a quick roll up off a suplex. Luckily, Dangerous Dan’s tag partner Larry Sharpe was ringside to break up the pin. Doring rallied and got the pin with Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am to notch his first victory of 2008.

2. Midnight Express b S.D. Jones & Cousin Luke
What was supposed to be an easy debut for Eaton & Condrey turned into a nightmare, as S.D. and Luke took Cornette’s duo to the limit. If not for some timely interference by the Louisville Slugger, the outcome may have been different. The Midnights never got their act together, but managed a win when Condrey pinned Luke with a Rocket Launcher in this nail biter.

3. Greg Valentine b Brad Armstrong
Valentine was unhappy that 2007 ended on a sour note for him, and was looking to take his frustrations out on popular youngster Brad Armstrong. Armstrong showed the fire that had him in the Top 10 rankings last year. Valentine and Albano used some dirty tricks to get the edge, but Bullet Bob came to ringside swinging a baseball bat around! Referee Izzy Moidel sent Bob back to the locker room, but the display distracted Valentine momentarily, and Brad took over from there. After three straight Russian Legsweeps, Valentine was done and Brad went for the cover. Lou Albano waffled Brad, who was near the ropes, with some type of object. Moidel was out of position and didn’t see it. A groggy Valentine draped an arm over Armstrong for the controversial win.

4. King Kong Bundy dq Mad Dog Vachon
Mad Dog faced big Larry Hennig at SUPERBOWL 5 and decided to go even bigger this week, facing Bundy. The size difference was staggering, but Vachon’s viciousness can offset a lot of power and weight. They were going toe to toe until Vachon got a near fall that was broken up by Rick Rude. Jimmy Valiant ran to ringside to support Mad Dog. When Bundy used some questionable tactics to get a pin attempt, Valiant was much less subtle than Rude. He jumped in the ring and hammered the big man, causing referee Paddy Grimes to call for the bell. It cost Vachon a win, but sent a message not only to Bundy & Rude, but to tag champs Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens who Mad Dog & Boogie face next week for the tag belts.

5. Ivan Koloff b Jim Duggan
Koloff had challenged Duggan earlier in the week, and said he was sick of hearing the “USA” chants at all the different venues. Quick match as Koloff got a distraction from Albano right off the bat and laid into Duggan before the “USA” chants could get going. Hacksaw never recovered and was pinned with a leg drop. He kicked out hard right after the three count, grabbed his 2x4 and stormed the ring, chasing Koloff and Albano to the dressing room.

6. Fabulous Kangaroos b Flying Redheads
With the NWF Board coming down hard on the Kangaroos and Red Berry for intentionally avoiding the Redheads in 2007, the two teams are scheduled for several encounters in early 2008. This one was close for a while, but the trickery of the Kangaroos and their eloquent, yet devious, manager was the difference. The continuous “bending of the rules” by the Aussie team made the Redheads lose their composure. It wound up with Heffernan pinning Lyons after a Boomerang to keep the ‘Roos record a perfect 8-0 in the NWF.

7. Ted DiBiase b Larry Hennig
This one was a war! Very long match extended due to a nasty bump taken by ref Bucky Palermo during the action. DiBiase was in control early and it looked like he would chalk up another win, but Harley Race tripped him up from ringside to turn things around. Just when it looked like the Axe might get the win, Ray Stevens ran out of the dressing and broke up a pin to save DiBiase. The heat between the Race/Hennig and Bockwinkel/Stevens teams goes back a long time. Back in the ring there was a long period where Palermo was knocked out, leading to some great no holds barred action. By the time the ref recovered, Hennig was a bloody mess. He still kept going forward, which is the only direction he knows. The finish saw DiBiase hit a second rope elbow on the big man for the hard fought victory. DiBiase has still not been pinned since his return to the NWF in June 2007.

8. Jimmy Valiant dq Nick Bockwinkel
Bockwinkel looked a step slower than usual at the start of the match, most likely due to some residual damage from SUPERBOWL. Valiant was able to do some damage and scored a couple of near falls right away. Bockwinkel survived and made a comeback (with a little help from Bobby Heenan) and looked like he was on his way to victory. Mad Dog Vachon made a save for his partner, and it wound up with Ray Stevens putting the boots to Valiant during an out of ring exchange that caused ref Mark Curtis to call for the DQ. After a horrible start in 2007, Valiant has now won 5 of his last 6 bouts and cracked the Top 10 rankings.

9. Curt Hennig & Ray Stevens b Harley Race & Larry Zbyszko
Race and former Heenan Family member Zbyszko against Stevens and Heenan’s newest recruit Curt Hennig. Good match with a lot of action between all four competitors. Race & Zbyszko were off to a fast start, beating on Curt, who is now among the most hated men in the NWF. The action was fast-paced and the bout could have gone either way, but the Heenan Family pulled it out when Hennig used the Hennig-Plex to put Zbyszko down for the count.

The new year is upon us, and so far it’s looking good! We’ll move the NWF caravan to Utica, NY for next week’s show at the Memorial Auditorium! Here’s the lineup so far:

* DDP may have given up on finding a regular tag-team partner after Dennis Condrey stabbed him in the back at SUPERBOWL 5. He’ll need to find other allies against the returning Jim Cornette, which shouldn’t be too difficult as Cornette offended pretty much everyone in his previous go around in the area. DDP will take on former partner Dennis Condrey in singles action in Utica!

* In a rematch from SUPERBOWL 5, you’ll have Larry Zbyszko in one corner and Curt Hennig in the other! Zbyszko is upset about his DQ loss in their first meeting, and is looking to seal the deal in Utica!

* The Flying Redheads and Fabulous Kangaroos will meet in two singles matches! The pairings have yet to be decided, but that won’t make much of a difference since the animosity between these two teams is off the charts!

* Lou Albano’s crafty duo of Greg Valentine & Ivan Koloff will face youngster Brad Armstrong and Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a tag-team attraction! Both of Albano’s men got controversial wins this week, but how will they fare when their opponents team up?

* Your big main event will see a return match as Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defend the NWF Tag-Team Titles against challengers Mad Dog Vachon & Jimmy Valiant, who scratched out a DQ win in their last encounter!

All this and much more is only seven days away in Utica!

[Chad Olson]

Good to see the referee crew hit the NWF. I bet if you combine the AWA & NWF crews, Cory still has more in the USWA! Wasn't Bucky Palmero in WCW in 2000, teaming with Chuck Palambo?

[wildcat]

Valiant beating Bock ( even a not 100 % Bock ) is a mammoth upset and can't sit well with the family.
An unpinned Dibiase continues to roll, can we be looking at a Williams - Dibiase match in 2008 and will Ted go heel to get it or will he just challenge the incomparable Sheik for the N.A. title?
Sheik - Williams for the belt would be a HUGE match, hope it happens.

SIMPLY THE BEST , better than all the rest.

[TDalton]

Card #262 – 01/11/2008
Memorial Auditorium – Utica, NY

We’re back in Utica, NY – the only city on the NWF tour to never witness a title change at a live event. That could all change tonight with Mad Dog Vachon & Jimmy Valiant challenging tag champs Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens! We’ve also got Harley Race and Ted DiBiase renewing an old rivalry, Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express in singles contests and much more! Let’s get to the action…

1. Bobby Eaton b Cousin Luke
After struggling against Luke in last week’s tag encounter, Beautiful Bobby used his agility and some interference from manager Jim Cornette to get the win here. Luke survived the Alabama Jam, but fell victim to another of Bobby’s high flying moves, the top rope elbow.

2. Danny Doring & Larry Sharpe dq S.D. Jones & George South
It was a little bit of retribution for South, who got beaten by Doring last week. Philadelphia’s Favorite Son took him as a partner and they looked to even the score. It was a short match as Sharpe had South covered after a Piledriver, and Jones climbed in the ring and clotheslined the Pretty Boy! Doring & Sharpe were looking to double up on Jones when Cousin Luke showed up to even the sides in the post-match standoff.

3. Al Costello cor Billy “Red” Lyons
The first Redheads/Kangaroos singles bout of the evening goes to Costello. Lyons had the upper hand, but it didn’t last long. With some help from Wild Red Berry, Costello took over and worked on Lyons’ leg. The finish saw Lyons get counted out while being taunted by Berry. Costello has now won 5 singles matches since his debut, but none by pinfall or submission.

4. Greg Valentine & Ivan Koloff b Jim Duggan & Brad Armstrong
This match was based on last week’s singles bouts between the four men. Despite not having any experience as a team, Duggan & Armstrong worked well together. This was a very hard hitting bout with a dramatic ending. Koloff had Duggan in the Russian Bearhug, but couldn’t Hacksaw to submit. Koloff did a leg trip while maintaining the Bearhug, turning it into a pin move. He was awarded the pinfall despite Duggan’s far shoulder clearly being off the mat. It got worse for Hacksaw, as Valentine knocked Armstrong to the floor, then he and Koloff beat Duggan senseless, finishing with a spike piledriver on the floor. Ted DiBiase ran in with a steel chair to chase Albano’s crew from ringside, but could only watch as his bloody teammate was tended to by medical staff and carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

5. Roy Heffernan b Red Bastien
This was a marathon match with great action the whole way. Bastien was an absolute mess by the final bell. I guess the Kangaroos are looking for some payback as the Redheads bloodied them up in singles bouts late in 2007. There were multiple finishers and near falls for each grappler. Later in the match, Bastien missed a kneedrop off the second turnbuckle, and Heffernan went to work on the leg. It paid off as he finally got the win over a limping Bastien with the Stepover Toehold.

6. Dennis Condrey b Diamond Dallas Page
DDP’s neck injury was fully healed, but he had a bigger pain in the neck to worry about with Jim Cornette in Condrey’s corner. Cornette interfered multiple times, allowing Condrey to maintain an advantage for most of the bout. DDP got some big moves in, but was never able to sustain offense with Cornette’s antics at ringside. Condrey scored the upset win with a Face First Legsweep on his former tag partner.

7. Curt Hennig b Larry Zbyszko
After getting the pinfall on Zbyszko in last week’s tag headliner, this rematch from the SUPERBOWL was signed. So far the Heenan Family has turned Hennig around in singles. He’s 2-0 since joining after a horrible 0-5 slide in late 2007. The match was solid as Hennig managed to keep Zbyszko off balance with some aerial moves. Hennig won with the Sleeper, and after the bout revealed that he’s been working on that hold with Bockwinkel.

8. Harley Race b Ted DiBiase
These two are very familiar with each other, as they were teammates in 2005 that went their separate ways. Both are former NWF Champions looking to get to that level once again. DiBiase comes in with a record of 9-2 since his return with no pinfall losses. Race is 5-1 since his return, and avenged his only loss to Duggan. The match was a great mix of roughhouse style and matwork but was marred by interference on both sides. Larry Zbyszko, a new ally of Race, broke up a Figure 4 attempt by DiBiase. Curt Hennig, apparently trying to further aggravate his father, distracted referee Andy DePaul after a Race Piledriver. To the DePaul’s credit, he was finally able to restore order. It wound up with Race victorious using a vertical suplex, which sets him up for a title shot against DiBiase’s tag partner Steve Williams.

9. NWF Tag-Team Championship: Mad Dog Vachon & Jimmy Valiant b Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens to win titles
This rematch was a result of Vachon & Valiant scoring a DQ win over the champs in November 2007. Heenan had dismissed the challengers, as their overall 2007 W-L record wasn’t impressive, although they had won 4 of 5 heading into this bout. This was a classic and early (really early) tag-team MOTY contender for 2008. Bock and Valiant exchanged a lot early on, and both bled right away. It wound up with Stevens and Vachon in the ring for a bulk of the match, as their respective partners were laid to waste. Heenan was all over the place, interfering whenever possible and distracting ref Mark Curtis and the wrestlers. In the melee, Stevens wound up a bloody mess as well. There were tons of near falls (20 total) with multiple finishers by each of the four. Bockwinkel and Valiant were in for the finish. Bockwinkel, wearing the crimson mask by this point, missed a top rope axehandle on Boogie, who locked the 5 time NWF in his version of the Sleeper. Bockwinkel showed incredible ring presence and somehow managed to get his foot on the bottom rope. When Bock climbed back to his feet, he threw a wild punch, but Valiant slipped it and cinched in the Sleeper one more time. Mad Dog tackled Stevens to stop him from interfering, and the two fell out of the ring onto Heenan. Mark Curtis was checking on the sleeper, and when Bockwinkel’s arm fell flopped to the mat for the third time, he signaled for the bell! After a long struggle to the top, Vachon & Valiant are your new NWF tag-team champions!

A wild finish in the first ever title change in Utica! A great win for one of the NWF’s grittiest duos! It wasn’t as good of a night for NWF champ Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase, as team member Duggan went down at the hands of Lou Albano’s stable. We’ll have more word on the extent of Duggan’s injuries by next week, when the NWF road show arrives in Rochester, NY! As always, there will be lots of great action on the card! Here’s the current lineup:

* Diamond Dallas Page will be in singles action once again, this time against the other half of Jim Cornette’s lethal Midnight Express, Beautiful Bobby Eaton!

* Brad Armstrong was knocked out and unable to help Jim Duggan during the attack by Greg Valentine & Ivan Koloff this week. That’s got him fired up, and he’s going after the Russian Bear Ivan Koloff in a singles contest in Rochester!

* Once again Curt Hennig, the newest member of the Heenan Family, will square off against Larry Zbyszko! Hennig is unbeaten since taking Heenan as his manager. Will he be able to keep the streak alive against the Living Legend?

* NWF Champion Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase will have to wait a little while before going after Lou Albano and his crew. The duo will face the combination of Harley Race & Larry “the Axe” Hennig in tag-team action as a prelude to Race challenging Williams for the belt the next week!

* The Sheik will headline your big main event as he defends the North American belt against Bullet Bob Armstrong! Armstrong destroyed the Sheik in their first meeting, but had to settle for an inconclusive double DQ decision back in December. Now he looks to finish the job and make history! The Sheik started his first run as North American champ in Rochester – can Armstrong do the same?

All this and much more is only seven days away in Rochester!

[wildcat]

Mad Dog & Booie Woogie Man beat Bockwinkel & Stevens to win th belts?!!!


The slow burn in this fed is incredible.

NWF

simply the best................better than all the rest.

[TDalton]

Card #263 – 01/18/2008
War Memorial – Rochester, NY

The NWF brings the traveling road show back to Rochester, NY and headlines with a big return match for the North American Title! There’s also a tag-team bout involving the two competitor s for next week’s NWF Championship encounter, the Flying Redheads and more! Let’s get to the action…

1. S.D. Jones & Cousin Luke b Danny Doring & Larry Sharpe
Solid opener with Jones & Luke controlling most of the action. Finish saw Cousin Luke pin “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe with a mule kick.

2. Rick Rude b Jimmy Valiant
Good match as Rude made fun of Valliant’s physique early, but a few big right hands changed his tune. Boogie won the brawling and out of ring exchanges, but missed a top rope elbow drop which led to his demise. Rude jumped on his downed opponent, and finished with a piledriver and Rude Awakening for the victory.

3. Bobby Eaton b Diamond Dallas Page
DDP was in trouble right away as both Jim Cornette and Dennis Condrey were in Eaton’s corner. But Page turned the match in his favor with a Diamond Cutter out of nowhere just minutes into the bout. It looked like he had Eaton wrapped up, but it was Jim Cornette helping Eaton block a second Diamond Cutter attempt that led to Beautiful Bobby immediately hitting the Alabama Jam for the win.

4. Brad Armstrong dq Ivan Koloff
An interesting matchup between the Russian Bear and fiery youngster Brad Armstrong. Both got their shots in, but Koloff took the shortcut and started using his chain as a weapon. The first time, referee Paddy Grimes was distracted by Albano and missed it. The second time, Albano attempted a distraction, but Grimes turned around and caught Koloff in the act! Although Brad comes out of the ring a little worse for the wear, he winds up with a DQ win.

5. Flying Redheads b Riviera Playboys
Great action that saw the Redheads barely survive an attack from the Kangaroos in mid-match. Redheads were pretty much in control until the Roos and Red Berry tripped up Lyons, who just barely got a shoulder up on a resulting pinfall attempt. Berry & the Kangaroos got tossed from ringside. It took a while for the Redheads to get back on top, but they did. Lyons locked the Sleeper on Rose to end it.

6. Ray Stevens dq Mad Dog Vachon
After the big upset last week with Vachon & Valiant winning the tag belts, Bobby Heenan was not a happy camper. He’s vowed to get the belts back at the rematch on February 1st in Johnstown. In the meantime, these two brawlers met and not many holds were exchanged. Both started swinging right away, and Mad Dog wound up being DQ’d within minutes for choking Stevens on the ropes and refusing to break the hold.

7. Curt Hennig dq Larry Zbyszko
Another in a recent series of bouts between these two. When Curt joined the Heenan Family, it greatly upset father Larry, who holds a grudge against Heenan from way back. Larry is still not completely recovered from this betrayal that has divided his family. Zbyszko is glad to be rid of Heenan, who he felt was holding him back and only cared about Bockwinkel & Stevens. This meeting was all Hennig, as he got an early advantage and hit Zbyszko with three straight Hennig-Plex’s and the Axe. Zbyszko survived and rolled out of the ring with Curt in close pursuit. Zbyszko, who has recently been displaying his karate skills, grabbed a pair of nunchaku and hit Hennig with them for the DQ.

8. Ted DiBiase & Steve Williams b Harley Race & Larry Hennig
Steve Williams did what was previously impossible and ended Nick Bockwinkel’s record setting title reign back in August 2007. Next week he faces former three-time NWF champion Harley Race is his toughest test since winning the belt. As far as the respective teams go, Race & Hennig come in unbeaten at 3-0 with DiBiase & Williams compiling an impressive 6-1 record. This was an intense hard hitting match where the crowd was into the Williams/Hennig meetings as the two are powerhouses, and really into Williams/Race. While DiBiase & Williams bloodied up both opponents and got the best of it, you still felt that Race & Hennig could win the bout with one big explosive move. It came down to Williams and Race, with Doc getting the hard fought pin with the Oklahoma Stampede. The big question is can he do the same thing to Race next week!

9. North American Championship: Bob Armstrong dq The Sheik
Armstrong came in having taken The Sheik to the limit back in early December 2007 in a match he completely dominated. Bullet had to settle for a double DQ decision and is looking to prove he’s a top notch singles competitor. Armstrong is highly regarded by everyone in the locker room, and is seen as a tough veteran leader of the fan favorite group. This match was over quickly. Armstrong took Sheik to the mat and was giving him a wrestling lesson. Sheik bailed out of the ring and Armstrong followed. Sheik was throwing all sorts of plunder at Armstrong to slow him down. Finally, the Syrian madman blatantly grabbed a chair and whacked Bullet in the back for the DQ and took off down the aisle to the dressing room.

The Sheik is crazy! Has he finally met his match in the Bullet? You know with two indecisive finishes, we’re headed for some type of stipulation match in the future! And how about the Champ!? Pinning Harley Race at any time is a big deal, but doing it right before his title match has to put some doubts in Harley’s mind. We’ll find out next week as we head west to Niagara Falls, NY! Here’s the current lineup:

* DDP is once again looking for a tag partner, but this time just for the night! He signed a contract to face the Midnight Express with a partner of his choosing. The problem is that despite being liked by the fans, his confident/arrogant attitude doesn’t translate well in the locker room. Will someone step up, or will DDP wind up in a handicap match?

* Brad Armstrong has had some problems with Lou Albano’s duo of Greg Valentine & Ivan Koloff lately. After watching helplessly as they assaulted Jim Duggan, he was anxious for another tag match against them. He’ll have his father with him, as Bullet Bob is temporarily putting aside his problems with The Sheik to help out his son!

* Jimmy Valiant claims that Nick Bockwinkel just doesn’t know how to “Boogie Woogie.” We’re going to find out as these two meet for the second time this year in singles. Valiant got a DQ win in their first meeting and put Bockwinkel to sleep to win the tag belts!

* Once again the Fabulous Kangaroos will face the Flying Redheads! This is getting to be a nasty feud, as the Kangaroos interfered in the Redheads’ match this week. After finally getting the Australians into the ring, Bastien & Lyons have struggled and need a victory!

* Your big main event will see Steve “Dr. Death” Williams defend the NWF title against former three-time champion Harley Race! Doc has become one of only three men to hold the NWF Title for more than 20 cards! Race is one of three to wear the belt at least three times! It’s a clash of the titans you don’t want to miss!

This great NWF action in Niagara Falls is only seven days away!

[Cory Olson]

Uh oh, Zbyszko doing karate! Is he bringing in a ninja to help him? Because you've all seen ninjas...

Great stuff as always! I love how you use "Bullet" Bob. That's cool that he does well for you, since you were the SMW fan.

[Chad Olson]

Larry Z was always known for his fondness of ninjas, maybe Ninja Go or the Super Ninja will be making an appearance in the NWF?

I love the team of Greg Valentine and Ivan Koloff. Two veteran tag specialists. Will they be getting a tag title shot soon?

[TDalton]

Card #264 – 01/25/2008
Convention Center – Niagara Falls, NY

We’re back in Niagara Falls headlining with an incredible NWF title match, along with a Redheads/Kangaroos bout and opening with a battle that will (hopefully) provide one of the grapplers their first victory! Let’s get to the action…

1. Larry Sharpe b George South
It was the battle of the winless, as these two had combined for 13 losses without a victory prior to this bout. South started out fine, but the “Pretty Boy” quickly reversed and used a Piledriver to win the match.

2. Midnight Express b Diamond Dallas Page & S.D. Jones
Once again DDP is having trouble finding a willing tag partner. S.D. Jones was drafted into service and even Cornette’s biggest detractors are reluctant to be associated with Page. It wound up with DDP taking some punishment before making the tag. Philadelphia’s Favorite Son did a great job, even getting a near fall on Condrey. The Midnights turned things around, and Eaton’s Midnight Massacre put Jones down for the count.

3. Mad Dog Vachon b King Kong Bundy
These two met earlier in the month with Bundy getting a DQ win when Vachon’s partner Jimmy Valiant interfered after some dirty tactics by Bundy and Rude. Referee Bucky Palermo, aware of the prior match, sent both Valiant and Rude back to the dressing room before the bell! It didn’t take long for Mad Dog to get the advantage and finish Bundy with a knee drop from the second turnbuckle.

4. Ray Stevens b Larry Hennig
These days “The Axe” is like a runaway tank. He’s both angry and disappointed at his son’s defection to the Heenan Family, and is looking to vent his rage on any of Heenan’s men he can get a hold of. Stevens was able to take advantage of Hennig’s anger, riling the big man up to the point he started making mistakes. Finish saw Stevens use Hennig’s size against him. Hennig tried a leg dive, but Stevens caught him and heaved the big man over in a double underhook suplex for the pin. This was the 6th straight loss for a distraught Hennig.

5. Bob & Brad Armstrong dq Greg Valentine & Ivan Koloff
Brad has been having trouble with Albano’s stable lately, and Bullet Bob has entered the fray, even though he still has some unfinished business with The Sheik. There was no messing around here as both teams went right at it. It ended quickly, as Brad never could get in the ring. Koloff was DQ’d for choking Bob with his chains. After the bell, Bob broke away and hit Koloff with the chains to chase the Albano crew from the ring. The DQ win gives the Armstrongs a 5-0-1 record over their last 6 matches.

6. Nick Bockwinkel b Jimmy Valiant
So far in 2008, the Boogie Woogie Man has had Bockwinkel’s number. Valiant got a DQ win in singles, and scored the fall on Bockwinkel in the match where he and Vachon won the tag belts. This one was all Bockwinkel, as he was motivated to show he’s still a top contender for any singles belt in the NWF. He wore Valiant down with the Sleeper, but finished him with the Figure 4 Leglock in this one-sided bout.

7. Ted DiBiase b Curt Hennig
Hennig’s winning streak as a Heenan Family member has finally ended. Both grapplers had a good showing, but DiBiase was on fire, perhaps fueled by his first pinfall loss since returning to the area last week. Hennig fired off plenty of his trademark moves, and looked like he may have had the match won, but Larry Zbyszko interfered to save DiBiase. While DiBiase and Zbyszko are far from being friends, obviously the Living Legend has more ill will toward Hennig. DiBiase turned it around from there and wound up eventually getting the victory after a wicked right hand with that Black Glove.

8. Fabulous Kangaroos b Flying Redheads
It looks like these teams are going to be facing each other in a series of matches over the next month or two, which after tonight looks like a tough road for the Redheads! The cunning Aussie duo attacked at the bell, knocking Lyons to the floor and double-teaming Bastien. Red took an unbelievable beating, but wouldn’t stay down. By the time he finally managed to tag Lyons, he was a wreck, and just laid on the ring apron bleeding for most of the remainder of the match. Lyons had his work cut out for him, and was able to get in a few shots, but eventually was overwhelmed by the odds. Heffernan locked in his dangerous Stepover Toehold on Lyons for the win as the Kangaroos are now a remarkable 9-0 since their debut!

9. NWF Championship: Harley Race cor Steve Williams
This was a huge match as Williams defended against former three-time NWF titleholder Harley Race. It looked like a blowout during the early going as Race was able to avoid Doc’s power moves. Williams got a foot on the rope after a Piledriver and was woozy for the remainder of the match. Race could smell his fourth title, but somehow Williams made a stunning comeback, driven mainly by Race’s own mistakes. Harley missed a falling headbutt from the second turnbuckle that left him hurting. Doc took over and looked good, even planting Race with a backdrop driver. It went back and forth for some time with each man tired and knocked a little silly. Williams tried for a running bodypress, but Race ducked and pulled down the top rope. Williams went over the top to the floor and was unable to return to the ring by a 10 count. Race wasn’t in much better shape as he didn’t have any gas left in the tank either.

What a crazy ending to a big title match! You know those two will hook up again soon, and it will definitely be something to see! Meanwhile, we’re off to Johnstown, PA next week with all kinds of action already signed! Here’s the current lineup:

* Diamond Dallas Page will once again face former partner Dennis Condrey! This time, Condrey won’t have Jim Cornette in his corner as the loud mouthed manager has been barred from ringside!

* Larry Hennig is still coping with his son’s defection to the Heenan Family, and faces a tough test in Ted DiBiase! The Axe needs to be at the top of game for this one! DiBiase has suffered only one pinfall loss since returning to the area, and is trying to cement his position as the top contender for the North American belt!

* The Armstrongs will get a rematch against Lou’s Albano’s devious duo of Greg Valentine & Ivan Koloff! The Armstrongs have really turned their fortunes around since adopting the “no more Mr. Nice Guy” attitudes! Bullet Bob has a big rematch coming up with The Sheik in two weeks, but he gives you 100% every time out, so this one could be a show stealer!

* Rivals Larry Zbyszko and Curt Hennig will meet again in singles action! Zbyszko’s animosity toward the Heenan Family continues to grow, and “the Brain” has sent his newest recruit to cut the “Living Legend” down to size!

* Your big main event will be the return match for the NWF Tag-Team Titles! New champions Mad Dog Vachon & Jimmy Valiant look to send former champs Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens packing in what will certainly be a hard hitting affair!

All this and more when the NWF returns to Johnstown next week!

[TDalton]

For the continuing adventures of the NWF, please visit the "official" website LOW Fed Forum at:

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