Cory's USWA Fed

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on January 12:
• “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Sensational” Sherri Martel were being interviewed by Lance Russell when Cousin Luke interrupted. The hillbilly demanded that Rose give his lucky horseshoe back. Rose challenged Luke to a match on January 25 in Tupelo, MS and if Luke can upset Rose again, he would give him back his horseshoe. Luke asked if he could have a date with Sherri as well if he won! Rose laughed, but then agreed to the stipulation. Sherri didn’t seem too excited about being “put up” as a prize. Rose told her not to worry. He said he was so confident that he could beat Luke twice in 10 minutes! The “Playboy” said he would do just that and so the match was signed for the 25th.
• Bill Apter interviewed the new World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Lewis said he doesn’t understand why Bobby Heenan has placed this bounty on him, as the concussion that Nick Bockwinkel received was not from an intentional attack, but by accident. Apter mentioned how Lewis is now even more wanted, not only because of the bounty, but now that he’s the USWA champ again. Lewis said he understood that and because of that, he’s found an ally—the man whom he beat for the title, Rikidozan! Rikidozan and his interpreter came into the studios. The interpreter explained that Rikidozan does not like what Bobby Heenan and his men stand for and that he will help Lewis when needed. Lewis said that he will grant Rikidozan a return title match in the near future.
• Rikidozan’s interpreter also mentioned that Giant Baba has decided to return to Japan. The two-time Southern Heavyweight champion and former World Tag Team champion wants to rest his neck, which has caused him some problems since last year. Baba may also wrestler a few dates in his home country as well. The interpreter stated that Baba will return to the USWA in the near future.

The USWA returns to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Evansville on January 18!
• In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout, “Ravishing” Rick Rude looks to avenge his embarrassing debut, as he’ll do battle with Red Bastien. Can Rude gain a win over the Flying Redhead?
• In another “rematch” of sorts, Danny Hodge looks to stop the sadistic Sheik! Their match last month never officially got started, as Sheik jumped Hodge before the bell and carved him up with his sharp object. Can Hodge gain a win on The Sheik or will the Syrian madman gain another evil win?
• Bobo Brazil continues his goal of putting Abdullah Farouk’s men out of the USWA. He’ll do battle with the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal Sabu! Sabu scored a win on Bobo at NYK IV, with help from The Sheik. Can he make it two wins, before he challenges for the Southern title on January 25?
• The main event will be for the World Tag Team titles as The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy defend against The Killer Bees. Texas champion B. Brian Blair would love to add a second title to his collection. But do the champs have more momentum, since The Bees lost their first match? Which team will start the year the champs?
All this plus Killer Kowalski takes on “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, The Killer B’s, and Southern Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch in action!

[stephenvegas]

Cory,

I really like your storyline involving Cousin Luke and Playboy Buddy Rose. It will be interesting to see if Cousin Luke can defeat Rose to get both a date with Sherri Martel and his horseshoe back.

Big surprise with Rikidozan now allying himself with The Strangler.

Absolutely awesome stuff!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks for the comments, Vegas!

stephenvegas said:

I really like your storyline involving Cousin Luke and Playboy Buddy Rose. It will be interesting to see if Cousin Luke can defeat Rose to get both a date with Sherri Martel and his horseshoe back.

I've got a Plan "A" and Plan "B" in place depending on the result of the match. Plus another twist will get thrown in. Stay tuned!

[TDalton]

Good to see Lewis finally get his hands on the belt. Rikidozan will be a valuable ally with so many people going for the bounty.

Good stuff as always.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks, Tim. Although I was hoping that Rikidozan's streak would last longer, it fits that Strangler is "wanted"--both for being World champion and having the bounty placed on him. We'll see how things work out.

Good to see Sheik come out the winner in the NWF Wrestler of the Year awards.

[hollywoodlyn]

Cory outstanding work in your federation...always enjoy waiting for the results and the shows...keep it up...

[Cory Olson]

hollywoodlyn said:

Cory outstanding work in your federation...always enjoy waiting for the results and the shows...keep it up...

Thanks, Hollywood! I started the next card last night and hope to have it finished up in the next two days.

[Cory Olson]

January 18, 2007
Card #156: Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Evansville

1) “Playboy” Buddy Rose scored a win in the opener over USWA newcomer Larry Sharpe. Sharpe hails from New Jersey and is looking to make a name for himself in the USWA. He looked on his way to a win over the two-time World champion, getting a nearfall after a piledriver. Rose came back and controlled the action. Cousin Luke came down to ringside and once again tried to “woo” “Sensational” Sherri Martel, bringing her flowers! When that didn’t work, he tried to take back his lucky horseshoe, grabbing it off the ringpost. Rose spotted this and grabbed the horseshoe as well. After a tug-of-war, Rose grabbed the horseshoe back. While new USWA referee Scott Bowden tried to get Luke off the apron, Rose smacked Sharpe with the horseshoe. He tossed it out to Sherri, then covered Sharpe. Bowden turned around and counted the easy pinfall. Luke was about ready to attack Rose afterwards, but “Dastardly” Danny Doring quickly came down to calm his tag team partner down, reminding him to save it for his match with Rose next week. The bizarre duo remained in the ring for the next match. **½

2) The Midnight Express made short work of Danny Doring and Cousin Luke. The hillbilly seemed distracted and preoccupied about his feud with Buddy Rose. The former World Tag Team champs took advantage of this and double teamed Luke, preventing him from tagging out. The Midnights scored the pin after just a couple of minutes with the Rocket Launcher. Doring naturally seemed upset by the quick loss. DUD

3) Greg Valentine scored a submission win over Yukon Eric in a physical bout. “The Hammer” started off with his stiff offense, wanting to gain a win after a recent series of losses, and perhaps wanting to weaken Eric for his teammate Killer Kowalski. Eric came back and picked up Valentine into the Kodiak Krunch, but Valentine managed to drape his leg over the top rope, breaking the hold. Valentine took over and focused his attack on the big man’s leg, smashing it into the ringpost and coming off the second turnbuckle with stomps to the leg. After kicking out of a falling elbow hammer, Eric got caught in the figure-four leglock. He fought valiantly, but ultimately tapped out, giving Valentine a much-needed win. ***¼

4) Two more of Capt. Lou Albano’s men emerged victorious, as The Killer B’s got a win over Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones. Ware and Jones had the crowd behind them, but The B’s showed that they just might be a force to be reckoned with in the USWA. “Special Delivery” was able to kick out of one Buff Blockbuster, but Bagwell put him down for the count with a second Blockbuster. **

5) “Ravishing” Rick Rude scored a DQ win over Red Bastien. The Flying Redhead wanted to prove that his countout win over Rude at New Year’s Knockout was more than an “accident” and was fired up here. He hit his airplane spin/atomic drop combination, but only got a two-count. Rude came back and had the advantage. To ensure a win, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan handed Rude a foreign object in the corner. But Bastien spotted this and intercepted the object. Perhaps enraged from his brawl last week with The Sheik and Sabu, Bastien used the object on Rude, pounding away at him. Unfortunately, Paul Morton immediately spotted the action and called for the bell, giving Rude a win. *½

6) Jimmy Snuka defeated Killer Kowalski by DQ. This was a back-and-forth bout, although the “Superfly” seemed to have control a little more often. He came off the top rope several times onto Kowalski. Kowalski got a near fall by blocking a charge in the corner with a double boot to the face. He immediately went up the ropes and came off with the Bombs Away, but Snuka got out of the way and Kowalski hit hard. Snuka went up to the top again and hit the Superfly Leap. Just as Tommy Gilbert was about to count three, Capt. Lou Albano got in the ring and punched away at the “Superfly”. Gilbert immediately called for the bell. Snuka stared down Albano and went after the rubber banded manager, but Kowalski recovered and nailed him from behind with a big knee smash. Albano held Snuka, while Kowalski punched away at him. Before further damage could be done, Yukon Eric made his way to the ring, although he still felt the effects of Greg Valentine’s figure-four from earlier. He rolled into the ring and chased Kowalski and Albano away. Snuka thanked Eric for his help. **½

7) Southern Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch emerged victorious in a non-title bout over Billy Red Lyons. Lyons started off with some nearfalls on Gotch and was able to apply the figure-four leglock, but Gotch wisely rolled into the ropes. Gotch came back and was able to apply the Gotch Toehold for a quick submission. Gotch and Dick Hutton shook hands with Lyons afterwards, for giving Gotch a “clean match” challenge. **

8) The Sheik defeated Danny Hodge by DQ in a wild match. The Oklahoman great was very fired up and focused, hoping to get a win on the evil Sheik. Hodge hit an Oklahoma side roll midway through the bout, but only got at two-count. Sheik went to his trusty sharp object and started to jab away at Hodge. Sheik would use the object at various times throughout the match to bloody up the Team RPW member. Dick Hutton tried to point this out to Tommy Gilbert, but Gilbert couldn’t catch the act. Hodge would come back and apply a punishing Indian Deathlock, but Sheik made the ropes. Sheik dodged a charging Hodge and threw him shoulder-first into the ringpost. He then focused on the shoulder and went for a hammerlock. When Hodge wouldn’t give, Sheik turned back to the Camel Clutch and again slipped in the object. Coach Hutton, angered by Sheik’s cheating, jumped into the ring and punched away at Sheik. Gilbert called for the bell for the interference. Abdullah Farouk pulled his man out of the ring, before Hutton could unleash his anger on him. You can bet this one isn’t over! ***½

9) Bobo Brazil scored his first victory since returning to the USWA, defeating his rival Sabu. This was another wild brawl. Sabu had the early advantage, using a chair to execute the Arabian facebuster, while Abdullah Farouk distracted Scott Bowden. Bobo rolled out of the ring to catch a breather and came back with a big Coco Butt, but couldn’t keep Sabu down. Sabu went for an Air Sabu with the chair set up in the middle of the ring, but overshot Brazil and crashed into Bowden, taking him out of the match. (NOTE: This was the first “Hurt Referee” situation I rolled, coming off of the new Into the Turnbuckle chart.) With Bowden down, Brazil decided to fight fire with fire and smashed Sabu with the chair. Brazil maintained control until Tommy Gilbert came down to replace Bowden. Bobo blasted Sabu with Coco Butt after Coco Butt, bloodying up the Bombay madman. After one more big Coco Butt, Brazil finally got the pinfall, which drew a big pop from the Veterans Memorial Coliseum! But the celebration was short lived, as The Sheik returned to the ring and jumped Brazil, pounding away at him. Sabu recovered and set up the chair to deliver a triple jump moonsault. Out of nowhere, Team RPW, including the still-injured Dan Severn, hit the ring and chased away Sheik, Sabu, and Farouk! In a surprising scene, RPW helped Brazil to his feet and back to the locker room. ****

10) The Heenan Family duo of The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy put the World Tag Team titles on the line against The Killer Bees. The Superstar and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell started the bout off their teams, but Bobby “The Brain” Heenan had a plan. He went around to The Bees’ corner and distracted B. Brian Blair, yelling at him. With Blair’s attention turned to Heenan, Superstar charged at him and knocked him off the ring apron with a big clothesline. Brunzell fought hard and scored a nearfall on Superstar, but the masked man came back and took control. He tagged out to Bundy, who hit three Avalanches on Brunzell, whipping him from one corner to the opposite after each splash. Bundy went for a cover, but Blair was recovered and jumped off the top rope with a knee drop to Bundy’s head. Unfortunately at the same time, the Texas champion inadvertently knocked down Paul Morton. Morton called for the bell and disqualified Blair for hitting him and breaking up the pin, which didn’t sit too well with the Evansville crowd! The Bees questioned Morton, claiming it was an accident, but Morton’s decision stood. The Bees turned their attention to the champs and hit Superstar with the Bee Sting! They then followed up with a big double dropkick on Bundy, which sent the Heenan Family scurrying! Superstar and Bundy continue their title defense streak of retaining the belts, but not having scored a single pinfall or submission win! DUD

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on January 19:
• A special interview took place with Bobo Brazil and Dan “The Beast” Severn. Severn was flanked by the rest of Team RPW. Bill Apter asked Severn why RPW saved Brazil the night before in Evansville. Severn stated that they know what it’s like to get attacked by The Sheik and Sabu, and they were rescuing Brazil from an unjust attack. He said while they don’t see eye-to-eye with Brazil’s “brawling” style and using his head as a weapon, he has battle many of the USWA’s worst rulebreakers and is a man of the people. Severn said that his broken ribs are almost healed and that he would like to team with Brazil for one night to battle their common enemies. Brazil agreed and the two shook hands. Severn and Brazil are both former Southern Heavyweight champions and both Michigan natives and will battle Sheik and Sabu on February 8 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington!
• World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis and his new ally Rikidozan (with his interpreter) were interviewed about their respective bouts on the next card (see preview below). When asked by Lance Russell if Lewis felt he had the odds against him with The Heenan Family and perhaps others out to collect the bounty, even with Rikidozan by his side. Lewis said that while Bobby Heenan may have the “numbers game”, that will soon change, as a former USWA superstar will be making his return and has agreed to help Lewis and Rikidozan. When Russell asked who it could be, Lewis said that it would soon be revealed.

The USWA comes back to the Sports Arena in Tupelo, MS on January 25!
• In a tag team rematch, The Killer Bees will take on The Killer B’s. Capt. Lou Albano has been bragging how Beefcake and Bagwell not only gave Blair and Brunzell their first loss since returning, but Beefcake also scored the winning pin on Texas champion Blair. Both teams have a win over the other. Who will win this “rubber match”?
• Two old rivals lock up again, as Yukon Eric takes on Killer Kowalski! Eric has become popular with the USWA fans, due to his wild personality. Can he finally get a win in the USWA over his hated enemy Kowalski?
• In a special challenge match, “Playboy” Buddy Rose has ten minutes to defeat Cousin Luke, not once, but twice! The stipulations for this match are that if Luke can last the 10 minutes, he’ll not only win back his lucky horseshoe, but also get a date with “Sensational” Sherri Martel! However, Rose, ever the conniver, snuck an added stipulation into the contract, unbeknownst to Luke. If Rose is successfully in defeating Luke twice, Luke must leave the USWA for 60 days! This would be a devastating blow to Luke, whose earnings go back to his family in Hog Waller, TN. Will the “power of love” lead Luke to a victory?
• Former World Heavyweight champion Rikidozan returns to the ring for the first time since losing the gold, as he’ll do battle with one-half of the World Tag Team champions King Kong Bundy! Can the Japanese superstar get back on track and get a win over the New Jersey giant?
• For the first time in a one-on-one bout, since his return, Bobo Brazil faces The Sheik! Brazil would love to get a pinfall or submission win on The Sheik, which only three RPW members have been able to do. This one’s guaranteed to be wild!
• World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis will be in action, as he takes on another champion—World Tag Team champ The Masked Superstar! This will be a non-title bout, but you can bet Superstar will be trying to injure the champ and collect the bounty from his manager. Can he do it?
• The main event will be for the Southern Heavyweight title, when Frank Gotch puts the gold on the line against the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu! This is Sabu’s first shot at USWA singles gold. He looked impressive in his match against Gotch last month, but Gotch is coming off a big win as well over Sabu’s uncle The Sheik. Will Gotch outwrestle Sabu and hold on to the prize or will the Southern title go extreme?
All this plus a rematch between “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, “Ravishing” Rick Rude in action, and more!

[Cory Olson]

January 25, 2008
Card #157: Tupelo Sports Arena

1) The Midnight Express emerged victorious in a great opener over The Flying Redheads. This was the first time The Redheads had teamed up in some time. The popular duo is hoping to get back on track and go for the tag team gold in 2008. They gave the former champs a tough challenge here. Billy Red Lyons hit a nice crossbody block on “Loverboy” Dennis at one point, but Condrey landed near his corner, allowing “Beautiful” Bobby to break it up. The Midnights came back and, not surprisingly, Jim Cornette got involved. The Midnights got the victory with the Rocket Launcher on Lyons. ***½

2) “Ravishing” Rick Rude pinned Koko B. Ware. Rude used a clothesline and several piledrivers to wear down “The Birdman”. Koko scored a near fall after Rude missed a big knee drop off the top rope, but Rude came back to win with the Rude Awakening, making Bobby “The Brain” Heenan a happy man. *¼

3) In a rematch from two weeks ago, Greg Valentine got a win by DQ over Jimmy Snuka. This was a back and forth bout, with both men taking control. The “Superfly” had the advantage and threw “The Hammer” to the arena floor. Capt. Lou Albano tried to ambush Snuka with a steel chair, but Snuka saw it coming. He grabbed the chair and losing his cool, Snuka blasted Valentine with the chair. New USWA official Sam Platania had no choice, but to call for the bell. **¾

4) The feud between The Killer Bees and The Killer B’s continued, as both teams ended in a double DQ. Texas champ B. Brian Blair and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell kept Brutus Beefcake in the ring for the first part of the match, busting him open after one of Brunzell’s patented dropkicks, right to the face. Brunzell used his partner’s specialty the sleeper on Beefcake, who looked to be dropping, but Capt. Lou Albano distracted referee Tom Branch. Buff Bagwell finally tagged in and got a near fall on Brunzell after a double arm DDT. Beefcake came back in and locked on a sleeper of his own, using the hold somewhat intentionally to anger Blair, whom he pinned the last time the teams met. The tactic seemed to work, as the Texas champ jumped in and nailed Beefcake with a jumping knee smash to the back, breaking up the sleeper. Bagwell came in and started exchanging punches with Blair. Beefcake and Brunzell paired off. Branch tried to restrain all four, but was unable to and eventually had to disqualify both teams. This feud has only just begun! ***¾

5) Capt. Lou got his only victory of the night, as Killer Kowalski scored another win over rival Yukon Eric. Eric fought hard, but Kowalski has had the upper hand in this feud, since both started full-time in the USWA. Kowalski hit the Bombs Away, then locked on the face claw. Eric made the ropes. Kowalski locked the claw on again and scored the submission victory. The match was over, but the battle wasn’t. Greg Valentine came back down to the ring. Albano’s men double teamed Eric. “The Hammer” held him down, while Kowalski came off the top rope with another Bombs Away, right on Eric’s severed ear! He came down with another, then picked up Eric, and draped him across the top rope. Valentine went up the top this time and came off with a falling sledge to the severed ear. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka came running down the aisle and grabbed a chair, like he used in his earlier match with Valentine. He slid into the ring, but Albano, Kowalski, and Valentine got out of there. Still the damage was done. Eric suffered some more damage and may miss some ring time. **½

6) Cousin Luke pulled off a miracle again, lasting the 10 minutes and defeating “Playboy” Buddy Rose in a special challenge match! The hillbilly actually tried to score a win on Rose and not just avoid him, as he went to work on the former USWA World Heavyweight champion. Luke hit three Hillbilly Drops on Rose, but couldn’t keep him down. Rose came back and hit a gut wrench backbreaker for a near fall. Rose came off the top with a Bombs Away to get a pinfall at 7:04. “Sensational” Sherri Martel was screaming at him from ringside to hurry up and get the second win and send Luke packing for 60 days. Rose went after Luke, but Luke held on and fought back. Rose was getting nervous as Gary Michael Cappetta announced the time ticking down. Luke came back and with seconds left, blasted the “Playboy” with a big mule kick, which busted his lip and knocked him out of the ring, just as the bell rang, signifying 10 minutes had expired. The Tupelo Sports Arena erupted at seeing Luke victorious! Luke grabbed back his lucky horseshoe from ringside and waved at Sherri, who was screaming in agony at the man she will soon have to go “out on the town” with! ***

7) Former World Heavyweight champion Rikidozan got back on track, with a quick and decisive win over one-half of the USWA World Tag Team champions King Kong Bundy. The Japanese sensation blasted Bundy with his thunderous chops, then managed to get Bundy over with a hiplock to score the quick pinfall. DUD

8) The Sheik scored a controversial win over Bobo Brazil. Not surprisingly, Brazil did what he knows best—the Coco Butt! Bobo used the move several times throughout the match, busting open the two-time former Southern champ with it. But Sheik fought back, applying his own Camel Clutch, but Brazil got to the ropes. Sheik pulled out his sharp object and smashed Brazil with it. He went for a cover right away and put his feet on the ropes for leverage, unbeknownst to Kevin Christian. Sheik scored the pinfall, although Bobo kicked out right after the three. The fans protested the use of the ropes, but Christian didn’t see it. An angry Brazil punched away at Sheik afterwards. The Syrian madman bailed out of the ring, but Brazil was hot on his trail. The two brawled throughout the Sports Arena, eventually ending up in the concession stand! Abdullah Farouk tried to intervene, but got blasted with mustard from Bobo, ruining his fancy suit and turban! Several USWA referees and officials eventually broke up the brawl, but the concession stand was closed for the rest of the card, due to the shambles left by Brazil and Sheik! ***

9) World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis emerged victorious over World Tag Team champion The Masked Superstar in a hard fought non-title match. Superstar was looking to collect on the $25,000 bounty that his own manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan put on the champ. Superstar seemed to target the neck of the “Strangler”. He applied the Cobra Hold and later hit a spinning neckbreaker, but couldn’t get the win. Lewis took him down several times with the Strangler’s Headlock, but Superstar wouldn’t give. Superstar went into a corner, where it appeared that Heenan handed him an object. Superstar loaded his mask and blasted Lewis with a head butt, which knocked down Lewis. Superstar went for a cover, but got 2¾. Superstar looked to have Lewis weakened, as Lewis came up bleeding from the head butt. But as usual the champ showed his fortitude. Lewis got out of the way of a charging Superstar in the corner and Superstar rammed his arm into the buckle. Lewis took him down to the mat and applied a double wristlock, a move he often uses to wear opponents down. Superstar was caught in the hold and Lewis kept him away from the ropes. Superstar surrender to the hold, which drew a big pop from the Tupelo crowd! This was the first time that Lewis has won a match by pin or submission without using the Strangler’s Headlock. Lewis survived and “The Brain” is still looking for someone to collect his bounty. ****½

10) Frank Gotch put the Southern Heavyweight title on the line in the main event against rival Sabu. Sabu was energetic to try and capture his first USWA championship, but was perhaps too overzealous, as he just couldn’t seem to hit the mark on his suicidal leaps and dives. Sabu brought in a steel chair in the opening minutes and hit the Arabian facebuster, while Abdullah Farouk (still sporting mustard stains from the earlier concession stand brawl) distracted Kevin Christian. But Gotch fought back and took Sabu to the mat, applying both the Gotch Toehold and the rolling knee bar. Gotch maintained control, but couldn’t keep Sabu down. At one point, Sabu rolled out of the ring, and Gotch pursued him. As Gotch exited the ring, Sabu grabbed another chair and tossed it right at the champ’s head. Christian saw the action and called for the bell, disqualifying the challenger. Sabu nailed Dick Hutton at ringside with a chair and looked like he was going to continue his attack on the champion, but suddenly Bobo Brazil came back and chased him away from ringside. ***½

[Chad Olson]

I predict that Sherri Martel will trick Cousin Luke by sending Buddy Rose in drag as a replacement.

It COULD happen!

[Cory Olson]

Buddy Rose would make one UGLY woman! He'd have to do a double dose of the Blow Away diet. But anything's possible in the USWA!

[Cory Olson]

A special report focusing on the date between Cousin Luke and “Sensational” Sherri Martel!

USWA camera crews followed the two, which took place on February 1. This footage aired on USWA Championship Wrestling on February 2. “Playboy” Buddy Rose was present at Sherri’s apartment, trying to calm down his valet over what she was about to have to go through. Luke showed up wearing his “best” overalls, a suit coat over it, his lucky horseshoe, and had his hair slicked back. He brought Sherri a gift of some wilted daises and a jug of his granny’s best moonshine. (Four X’s—the good stuff!)

Luke brought out his patented “Hillbilly Mobile”. (Think of what The Clampetts drove on The Beverly Hillbillies!) Luke gave Sherri the “honor” of sitting in his granny’s seat. As she climbed in, a “critter” came out from under the seat. Sherri screamed in horror as Luke tried to gather up the “varmint”, whom he called Shawnee. Once he did, he got the Hillbilly Mobile eventually started up and the two were off.

Luke took Sherri to a fancy restaurant. The hillbilly asked if the restaurant served possum stew, which seemed to disgust Sherri. Following dinner, the two ordered some coffee. When the waiter asked Luke if he wanted cream or sugar, Luke strangely responded, “Good coffee don’t need cream or sugar!” He took a sip of the coffee and spit it out, then spilled the coffee right in Sherri’s lap! The valet ran out of the restaurant screaming, as Luke turned toward the waiter and said, “Two sugars, please.”

In the next report, more highlights from the last two episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling, and the preview for Card #158!

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on January 26 and February 2:

• World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Rikidozan were interviewed on the 1/26 edition. It was announced that the two would meet in a rematch for the championship on February 8 in Lexington. Both grapplers complemented each other’s skills and promised the fans a great wrestling match. Lance Russell asked Lewis who would be joining them to battle the Heenan Family. Lewis announced that former USWA Southern and World Tag Team champion The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer would be returning to even the odds! The masked one has battled with The Heenan Family members in the past and is coming to help his friend Rikidozan, as well as get some revenge for what The Masked Superstar did to his former tag team partner Giant Baba.
• It was officially announced on February 2 that The Road Warriors will receive their return bout on February 15 for the World Tag Team championship. The Legion of Doom will take on champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy. Because of the indecisive endings in their previous bouts, especially the Triangle Match at New Year’s Knockout, the USWA Committee has decided to make this a No-Disqualification Match!


The USWA comes back to the Rupp Arena in Lexington on February 8!
• The war between The Killer Bees and The Killer B’s continues, but this time it will be in singles action, as Texas champion B. Brian Blair will face Brutus Beefcake in a non-title contest. Beefcake scored the pin on Blair on January 11 in the tag bout, giving The Bees their first loss since returning to the USWA. Can he do it again or will Blair sting him back?
• After some crazy endings in their previous matches, “Ravishing” Rick Rude and Red Bastien look to settle the score once and for all. Can Rude put Bastien down with the Rude Awakening in front of the “Rupp Arena Rejects”?
• In what has become an early feud in ’08, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine will lock-up again. The USWA Committee has added some extra “fuel to the fire”, as the winner of this bout will challenge Frank Gotch for the Southern Heavyweight championship on February 29 at the world famous Sportatorium in Dallas!
• Before they challenge for the World Tag Team titles, The Road Warriors return from their successful tour of All Japan to battle old rivals The Midnight Express! These two teams had one of the best feuds of ’07, ending in a memorable Steel Cage Match. Jim Cornette’s men came out the victors last time, but can they do the same against a fired up Legion of Doom?
• In a huge tag team match, Abdullah Farouk’s sadistic duo of The Sheik and Sabu take on the team of Bobo Brazil and the returning “Beast” Dan Severn. Team RPW was interviewed on WMC-TV and Severn was not too happy with Brazil’s post-match attack and concession stand brawl with The Sheik on January 25 in Tupelo. But his biggest goal is to get revenge on Sheik and Sabu for breaking his ribs. Will the make-shift Michigander team be able to stop the madmen?
• The main event will be a huge rematch, as Ed “Strangler” Lewis puts the World Heavyweight championship on the line against the man he beat—Rikidozan! Lewis was the first one to defeat the Japanese superstar in the USWA. The two have joined forces since then, but will face each other first in what should be a great scientific contest. Will Lewis retain in his home state or will Rikidozan regain the gold?
All this plus Killer Kowalski, Danny Hodge, and the USWA debut of Brad Armstrong! This young sensation has made a big impact in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), can he have equaled success in the USWA?

[Cory Olson]

February 8, 2008
Card #158: Rupp Arena in Lexington

1) Brad Armstrong made a successful USWA debut, defeating Larry Sharpe. The Georgian looked very impressive with his quick offense. He hit his specialty maneuver, the Russian leg sweep, twice on Sharpe, but Sharpe kicked out both times. Armstrong locked on an abdominal stretch, but dropped it backwards into a lateral guillotine and scored the pin fall. The Rupp Arena gave Armstrong a big ovation for his win. *¼

2) Buff Bagwell scored a questionable disqualification win over Danny Hodge. Bagwell charged Hodge right at the bell, to gain an early advantage. He hit his Buff Blockbuster twice, but Hodge managed to kick out. Bagwell nailed a double arm DDT and went for cover, putting his feet on the second rope for leverage. Unfortunately it was on the same side of the ring that Richard Hutton was on. Hutton, angry at the illegal action, knocked Bagwell’s feet off the ropes. Frank Morrell saw Hutton’s involvement, although he hadn’t seen Bagwell’s feet on the ropes. He disqualified Hodge for Hutton’s interference. Hutton tried to explain Bagwell’s violation, but Morrell wouldn’t listen. The Rupp Arena wasn’t too happy about this call! ½*

3) Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones scored a win over old rivals “Dastardly” Danny Doring and Cousin Luke. Luke seemed in a good mood after his date with “Sensational” Sherri Martel, even though Sherri wouldn’t think the same! Doring never actually tagged in, as Sherri and “Playboy” Buddy Rose came down to ringside early on. Doring turned his back to Luke, yelling at Rose to leave his hillbilly partner alone. Unfortunately he missed the opportunity to help Luke out. Ware and Jones got a quick win, after Jones hit Luke with a jumping head butt off the top rope. After the bell, as “The Birdman” and “Special Delivery” made their way to the back, Doring entered the ring to help Luke to his feet. He explained Rose and Sherri’s presence at ringside. Naturally Luke went to greet Sherri. But as the hillbilly turned back to the ring, he was blasted with a superkick by Doring! Doring picked Luke up and hit the Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am! Rose jumped in and he and Doring double teamed Luke, while Sherri screamed in delight! Rose picked up Luke and held him out face-down, while Doring came off the top rope with a Danaconda to the back of Luke’s neck! (This was a double team move that Doring and Luke often utilized.) Koko and S.D. came back out to help Luke out, but the damage was already done. Luke was hurt, but seemed more hurt by the betrayal than anything else. ½*

4) Killer Kowalski scored a quick win over another Canadian, Billy Red Lyons. Kowalski had the early advantage and worked over Lyons with knee smashes and stomps to the midsection. A stomach claw would score the submission on Lyons and put him down, just like Yukon Eric on the last card. DUD

5) Brutus Beefcake scored a win by DQ over Texas champion B. Brian Blair. Blair looked strong early, applying his sleeper, but Beefcake. Beefcake cmae back and hit his flying knee smash, but Blair kicked out. Capt. Lou Albano got up on the ring apron to distract Paul Neighbors, while Beefcake grabbed Blair’s Texas championship belt from the ringside table and was about to hit Blair with it. But the champ cut Beefcake off with a boot to the stomach. Blair grabbed his belt and clocked Beefcake with it. Unfortunately Neighbors turned around to see it and called for the bell, giving Beefcake his second win of sorts over Blair. **

6) “Ravishing” Rick Rude finally settled the score with Red Bastien. Bastien looked impressive, scoring near falls after several flying head scissors. Rude came back and hit a top rope sledgehammer for a two-count. The Rude Awakening would put Bastien down for the three-count and make Bobby “The Brain” Heenan a happy man. **¾

7) Greg Valentine earned the next shot at Frank Gotch’s Southern Heavyweight championship defeating his rival Jimmy Snuka. The Southern champ made a surprise appearance, sitting ringside with Lance Russell and Dave Brown to scout his two possible challengers. The “Superfly” hit his leap early on, but Capt. Lou Albano distracted Jerry Calhoun. “The Hammer” was able to make a comeback and wore down Snuka with a piledriver. He worked over Snuka’s legs, applying the figure-four leglock. Snuka made the ropes, but Valentine continued his attack. Another figure-four would bring about a tapout from Snuka and earn Valentine a shot at the Southern gold. Valentine and the Captain stared down Gotch afterwards. **¼

8) The Road Warriors looked dominant in a DQ win over old rivals The Midnight Express. The Legion of Doom kept “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey in the ring the whole time. They hit a spike piledriver, but Condrey managed to get his foot on the bottom rope. He rolled out of the ring for a breather, but Hawk followed. Jim Cornette threw Condrey his tennis racket, which he used to smash Hawk with. Paul Neighbors spotted the action and disqualified The Midnights. “Precious” Paul Ellering jumped Cornette afterwards. Animal took out Condrey at ringside, then he and Hawk nailed “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton with a double clothesline. The Midnights and Cornette retreated to the locker room. neg*

9) The makeshift team of Bobo Brazil and the returning Dan Severn worked together to defeat The Sheik and Sabu in an awesome match. Sabu brought in a steel chair early on and hit the Arabian facebuster on Severn, while Abdullah Farouk distracted Frank Morrell. Morrell went down after Severn reversed a whip into the turnbuckle and sent Sheik crashing into him. Richard Hutton went over to try and revive Morrell, but the bout continued. Severn threw Sheik with a fireman’s carry slam. Sabu jumped in, but caught with the slam as well. But one wasn’t enough, as “The Beast” held on and threw Sabu twice more! Bobo came in and blasted Sabu with a big Coco Butt, which busted him open. Sheik attacked Brazil and locked on the Camel Clutch, while Morrell finally made it to his feet. Bobo refused to surrender to the hold. Brazil came back and hit a Coco Butt out of nowhere, but only kept Sheik down for two. Sheik tried to give his nephew a rest, as Sabu’s face was a bloody mess. Sheik wore down Severn with the Camel Clutch and Sabu finally came back in. But Severn caught him again with yet another fireman’s carry slam, then held on, picked up Sabu, and turned him into a German suplex and a bridge. Sheik came in, but was cut off by Brazil, while Morrell counted the three on Sabu. Severn and Brazil were hesitant but shook hands afterwards, accomplishing what they wanted to in defeating their mutual rivals. ****½

10) The main event was a rematch for the USWA World Heavyweight championship, as two-time champ Ed “Strangler” Lewis put the title on the line against the man he defeated and his new ally Rikidozan. To little surprise, these two exchanged some great scientific mat holds for the first ten minutes of the bout. Lewis seemed to have picked up one of Rikidozan’s favorite holds, the Boston Crab, as he locked it on for a near submission. Lewis was a man focused in his home state, applying the Strangler’s Headlock several times. Lewis was able to pin Rikidozan with the hold once again in a somewhat surprisingly short bout. The two greats shook hands again. Bobby Heenan came down the aisle sporting the briefcase, containing the $25,000 bounty money on the champ. Rick Rude and the World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy stood behind their manager. Rikidozan stood next to Lewis in the ring, showing his support of the champ ***

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on February 9:

• “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring, along with “Sensational” Sherri Martel, were interviewed about their attack on Cousin Luke. Doring claimed that he had tried for a year and a half to “civilize” Luke, but the hillbilly was a lost cause. Doring stated the Luke’s infatuation with Sherri was affecting their team, although he could see why Luke was so distracted! The “Dastardly One” said that he was aligning himself with someone as classy and fabulous as himself in the former World champ, the “Playboy”. Rose stated that with Sherri at their side, this duo will take on any and all comers in the USWA. And if Luke tries to fight back for his “honor”, he and Doring will embarrass him once again!
• It was announced that following the main event on the previous night’s card in Lexington, Rikidozan was ambushed in the dressing room by The Heenan Family. The Japanese superstar was to accompany “Strangler” Lewis to ringside for his match on the next card (see Card #159 preview below), but now would be unable to. The World Heavyweight champ said that he knew this was obviously a plan by The Family to keep Rikidozan away from the match, but it didn’t matter, as he would still have someone behind him. Lewis announced that The Destroyer’s first return appearance will be next week, as he will accompany the champ to ringside!
• Some big matches were made for Card #160 in Dallas, which will be held on February 29, “Leap Day”. In addition to the main event of Frank Gotch defending the Southern Heavyweight championship against Greg “The Hammer” Valentine in the main event, B. Brian Blair will make his first defense of the USWA Texas title against Brutus Beefcake! Dan Severn will go one-on-one with The Sheik, and despite an injury, Yukon Eric will team up with “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka will take on Capt. Lou Albano’s team of Killer Kowalski and Buff Bagwell. It’ll definitely be a big night for the Captain, with two of his men receiving title shots!

The USWA rolls into the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on February 15 for a huge card!
• The big tag war continues as The Killer Bees take on The Killer B’s. The teams went to a wild double DQ on January 25 in Tupelo. Will a decisive winner come out of this one? You can bet Brutus Beefcake will be focusing on Texas champ B. Brian Blair before their title bout in Dallas!
• “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka continues his battles with Capt. Lou Albano’s men, as he’ll face Killer Kowalski in another return bout. Snuka got a win last time when Capt. Lou’s interference caused a disqualification. The Fijian warrior is looking for a clean win to settle the score and earn some revenge for the attack on Yukon Eric!
• In a huge non-title bout, USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis takes on Heenan Family member “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Rude will be looking not only for a win on the champ, but to injure Lewis and collect the $25,000 bounty placed on him by “The Brain”. This is a huge bout for Rude early in his USWA tenure, but remember, he has yet to lose by pinfall or submission. Lewis will have The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer in his corner to ward off interference from Bobby Heenan!
• The main event will be a tag team collision, as The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy put the USWA World Tag Team titles on the line against two-time champs The Road Warriors! With no DQs, as well as no countouts, Superstar and Bundy will no have excuses. Can The Legion of Doom capture their record setting third Tag Team title or will the Heenan Family walk out the champs again?
All this plus “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware battles in Cousin Luke’s honor, as he takes on “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Dan “The Beast” Severn, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, and Brad Armstrong in action, plus more great bouts!

[Cory Olson]

February 15, 2008
Card #159: Municipal Auditorium in Nashville

1) Danny Doring scored a big win via countout over newcomer Brad Armstrong. The George native had the early advantage and looked on his way to victory. But Doring’s new valet “Sensational” Sherri Martel looked to be the key factor, as she distracted Armstrong when he went up to the top rope, which allowed Doring to crotch Armstrong on the top rope. Armstrong kicked out of the Danaconda, but then got taken to the arena floor. He fought back and threw Doring into the ring, but when he tried to follow, Sherri again got involved, grabbing his ankle, unseen to Tommy Gilbert. Armstrong couldn’t beat the count and lost to the “Dastardly One”. *

2) Greg Valentine made short work of S.D. Jones. “The Hammer” looked very impressive against “Special Delivery” and dominated most of the action. He scored the submission win after the figure-four leglock. Valentine looked very tough going into his shot at the Southern Heavyweight championship. ¼*

3) Dan Severn squashed Larry Sharpe. The former Southern Heavyweight champion controlled Sharpe, throwing him with a fireman’s carry slam. “The Beast” got the tap out win with his wakigatame. DUD

4) “Sensational” Sherri Martel’s other man “Playboy” Buddy Rose emerged victorious as well, defeating “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware. Ware had some momentary offense, but Rose grabbed Sherri’s purse and belted him with it, while the valet distracted Scott Bowden. A Bombs Away would put Koko down for the count. ½*

5) The Oklahoman Team RPW duo of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge scored a big win over former World Tag Team champions The Midnight Express. It looked as if “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis would achieve victory in the opening minutes, thanks to Jim Cornette, as Hodge had Condrey locked in a sleeper, when Cornette distracted Tommy Gilbert. In doing so, he “accidentally” dropped his tennis racket into the ring, which Eaton grabbed and cracked Hodge across the back of the head with. Condrey went for a cover, but Hodge managed to kick out. The Midnights double teamed Hodge for several minutes, until Hodge grabbed Condrey in a wristlock, then whipped him into the buckle. He tagged out to Hutton, who worked over Condrey. Hutton applied the abdominal stretch, but Eaton jumped in to break it up. Hodge came back in and took down Eaton with a double leg, then the two rolled out of the ring. Hutton whipped Condrey into the ropes and when he came back, caught him in another abdominal stretch. Condrey was caught in the center of the ring and surrendered to the hold, as the fans popped at the big win for Team RPW! ***¼

6) The Killer Bees emerged victorious over their rivals The Killer B’s. Buff Bagwell and Brutus Beefcake have shown great teamwork, despite only teaming up for a few months. Bagwell hit his Buff Blockbuster on Texas champ B. Brian Blair early on, but only got a two-count. He focused his attack on both Blair and Jim Brunzell’s necks, using his swinging neckbreaker several times during the bout. Beefcake worked over “Jumping” Jim, until he made the tag to Blair, who pounded away on his next challenger for the Texas title. Beefcake got hit with the Bee Sting, as well as one of Brunzell’s patented dropkicks, but held on. Bagwell came in, but got worked over as well. The Bees hit a double atomic drop on “Buff Daddy”, then Brunzell followed up with a nice snap suplex into a cover. Blair cut off Beefcake with a dropkick as The Bees got the pinfall. Capt. Lou Albano didn’t seem too upset, as Beefcake is still guaranteed the Texas title bout in two weeks, and you can bet this war is far from over. ***½

7) The Sheik and Sabu scored a big, yet controversial win, over The Flying Redheads. Red Bastien was fighting against the evil duo, for his own right and on behalf of his friend, Bobo Brazil. The Redheads tagged in and out early on Sabu, but the Bombay madman came back and hit the Arabian facebuster, while Abdullah Farouk distracted Scott Bowden. His crazy uncle tagged in and worked over Bastien’s shoulder with several hammerlocks. With Farouk again providing the distraction and Sabu battling with Billy Red Lyons on the arena floor, Sheik throw a huge fireball at Bastien! Bastien writhed on the mat in pain. Sheik covered Bastien and scored the tainted pinfall. ***

8) Killer Kowalski scored a very quick pinfall on “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. The match lasted only a few minutes and ended after Kowalski hit a big jumping elbow smash, then went for a cover with his feet on the second rope. Paul Morton didn’t notice the infraction and counted the three. Snuka quickly recovered and protested the illegal leverage, but to no avail. Yukon Eric made a surprise appearance and attacked Kowalski from behind. He picked him up into the Kodiak Krunch. He then dropped Kowalski and Eric and Snuka went into the corner. Snuka climbed up Eric’s shoulders and came off with the Superfly Leap, right onto Kowalski’s ribs. Greg Valentine and The Killer B’s came down to save their stable mate, but the damage had been done. It was determined that Kowalski suffered broken ribs, the same injury he received in 2006 from Snuka and Don Leo Jonathan in the Dominican Republic during the Carnaval de Dolor tour. DUD

9) World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis pinned “Ravishing” Rick Rude decisively in a non-title bout. Lewis’ corner man The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer received a big ovation from the Nashville crowd for his USWA return. Lewis was very focused and controlled most of the action. After several attempts at his Strangler’s Headlock, even bloodying Rude up, the champ scored the pin, giving Rude his first pin or submission loss in the USWA. World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy ran down to ringside to presumably jump Lewis, but Destroyer jumped in with a steel chair. He stood behind the champ, but then in one of the most shocking moments in USWA history, he smashed Lewis’ leg with the chair! Lewis crumbled to the mat in pain. Destroyer immediately applied his figure-four leglock, while Bobby Heenan entered the ring with the briefcase with the bounty money in hand. Destroyer released the hold, while “The Brain” handed the masked man the money! Heenan laughed in delight, as several USWA officials helped Lewis to the back. The Nashville crowd pelted the ring with garbage, while security escorted The Heenan Family and The Destroyer to the locker room. *¼

10) After the standard pre-main event intermission, the crowd was somewhat calmed down, but still revved up for the huge No-Disqualification Match, featuring The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy putting the World Tag Team titles on the line against former champs The Road Warriors. Bobby Heenan was booed mercilessly when he was introduced by Gary Michael Cappetta, due to his actions in the previous match. The Legion of Doom started off on fire, looking like they were going to gain their third World Tag Team titles. Hawk and Animal kept the big Bundy in the ring, hitting a modified version of the Doomsday Device, which they have utilized before. Animal held Bundy in a bear hug position, then Hawk came off the top with the clothesline, but Bundy managed to kick out. Animal managed to hit a power slam on the big man, but again only got two. Animal bounced off the ropes with a big splash on Bundy, but Superstar saved his partner. The Road Warriors hit a second modified Doomsday Device, but Heenan jumped in the ring, taking advantage of the no-disqualification stipulation. “Precious” Paul Ellering came in after “The Brain” and chased him out of the ring and up the aisle, but it was a trap, as “Ravishing” Rick Rude came out from the back and nailed Ellering with a clothesline. He then picked up Ellering and nailed the Rude Awakening in the aisle. Ellering was hurt and had to be helped to the back, but the match went on. Bundy, although bloodied, came back and hit Animal with the Avalanche, but Animal got his foot on the rope. Superstar finally came back, but Animal executed a power slam on him as well for a near fall. The match spilled to the floor, with all four men. Bundy picked up Hawk in a bear hug and slammed him back-first into the ringpost. Superstar grabbed a chair and nailed Animal to the back of the head. He tossed Animal back into the ring and focused his attack on the neck. He hit two of his spinning neckbreakers, then locked on the Cobra Hold. Animal was weakened. Paul Morton checked his arm and it dropped three times, giving The Heenan Family duo the shocking win, and their first title defense to not end by a DQ or countout. “The Brain” jumped in the ring, as Rude and The Destroyer came down to join in the celebration. The fans were definitely not happy to see this evil group in the ring for the second time tonight! ****

In the next report, find out the reasons behind The Destroyer’s despicable attack on “Strangler” Lewis! Plus the preview for Card #160 from the Sportatorium in Dallas!

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on February 16 and 23:

• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer was interviewed on the 2-23 edition by Bill Apter about his shocking attack on World Heavyweight champ Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan sat by Destroyer during this interview. The masked man explained that he wrestled in the USWA for almost three years. He was a former Southern Heavyweight and World Tag Team champion. He stated that he scored many victories and a decent win-loss record, but never got a shot at the USWA World championship. Destroyer said that when Antonio Inoki debuted in 2006, while he himself was injured, he received a tag team match with the World champ (then Nick Bockwinkel) in his debut and a title shot a month later. He also pointed out, after he (Destroyer) had departed from the USWA and wrestled in All Japan, Rikidozan came to the area and received a championship bout only a few months after his arrival. He said that had nothing personal against “Strangler” Lewis, but this was about an opportunity at the World championship. He said that when he heard of Bobby Heenan’s bounty, he seized the opportunity and called “The Brain”, to set up their plan. Apter asked if this meant that The Destroyer was joining The Heenan Family. “The Brain” interrupted and said that The Destroyer wished to be only an associate of The Family for this time, and not become an official member. Apter asked Destroyer what Giant Baba would think of all of this. Destroyer said that Baba’s opinion is of no significance to him, as Baba ignored Destroyer once his fellow countryman Inoki came to the USWA. He said that he is using some of the bounty money to hire the notorious Abdullah the Butcher, who is being paid to target Baba in All Japan Pro Wrestling and keep him from returning to the USWA or any professional wrestling ring. Destroyer summed it up by saying that he wants a shot at the World Heavyweight championship and he will take on Lewis, Rikidozan, or any other wrestler who thinks he’s better in the ring.
• As far as the World champion goes, he suffered some ligament damage from Destroyer’s attack, but at this point has said he will fight through the pain and not miss any scheduled matches. Lewis said that he didn’t know Destroyer very well, and that he listened to Rikidozan and Baba’s suggestion to bring him in to the USWA. The champ stated that if Destroyer wanted a match, he should have done the right thing and made a challenge. But instead, he was a coward, who hid behind a mask and attacked from behind. The “Strangler” said that he will face Destroyer with or without the title on the line.
• After their loss in challenging for the World Tag Team titles, “Precious” Paul Ellering and The Road Warriors have decided to leave the USWA. In making the announcement on 2-16, Ellering stated that The Legion of Doom will return to the area down the line, but are planning for now to compete more in All Japan and perhaps any other parts of the world where someone needs a beating!

The USWA is taking off February 22, but is coming back with a big show on “Leap Day”—February 29! The world famous Sportatorium in Dallas will host a huge night of action, that could only happen once every four years!
• In a big tag team grudge match, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Yukon Eric will do battle with two of Capt. Lou Albano’s men—Killer Kowalski and Buff Bagwell. Both Eric and Kowalski will be wrestling injured and are far from 100%. Who will win this heated bout?
• Another wild feud continues as Bobo Brazil takes on the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu! Since Bobo’s return, each man holds a victory over the other, plus they’ve had some great tag team encounters. Who will walk out the winner in this wild brawl?
• The World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy will face The Midnight Express in a non-title bout. Jim Cornette has been clamoring that his men never received a return match, after they lost the titles to the Heenan Family duo in September. “The Brain” responded by saying that “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis need to prove they’re worthy of another shot and after their loss to Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge, Heenan doesn’t feel they’re worthy. Coming off an impressive victory over The Road Warriors, Superstar and Bundy have a lot of momentum, but can they keep it up?
• Dan “The Beast” Severn goes one-on-one with The Sheik! These two exchanged the Southern title twice in Texas and are looking to settle the score in Dallas!
• In the first of two title bouts, B. Brian Blair makes his first defense of the USWA Texas championship against Brutus Beefcake. Beefcake holds a pinfall victory and a DQ win in singles over the champ. Can he make it three and capture his first USWA title?
• Another of Capt. Lou Albano’s men will be challenging for championship gold in the main event, as Greg “The Hammer” Valentine faces Frank Gotch for the Southern Heavyweight crown. These two are USWA “originals” and have met in the past in some hard hitting bouts. Will Gotch hold on to the gold or can Valentine win his first Southern strap?
All this plus “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring team up for the first time to battle “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones. Also, “Ravishing” Rick Rude in action, and the Argentinian sensation Antonino Rocca!

[Cory Olson]

February 29, 2008
Card #160: Sportatorium in Dallas

1) Danny Hodge came out the winner in a fast-paced scientific opener over Brad Armstrong. Newcomer Armstrong got more cheers, perhaps since Hodge and Team RPW coach Dick Hutton are Oklahomans and this card was in Texas! Armstrong held his own against Hodge and kicked out of one Oklahoma side roll, but a second roll would put him down. Hodge shook hands with Armstrong afterwards, but still felt the boos of the Sportatorium! **

2) The new team of “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring emerged victorious in their first match together over “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones in a great tag bout. This was a back-and-forth bout that was surprisingly competitive and kept the Sportatorium fans excited. Doring worked over “Special Delivery” in the first half of the match, nailing two Danacondas. Ware managed to kick out of Rose’s Bombs Away. Jones made a fiery comeback and blasted both Doring and Rose with some of his head butts. The “Dastardly One” hit a G-Spot Sweep out of nowhere on Jones, which busted him open. Ware hit Doring with the Ghostbuster, which put Doring out of action for a few months in 2006, but Doring got his foot on the bottom rope before the three-count. With Rose and Ware in the ring together, Rose hit a gut wrench backbreaker out of nowhere after a series of reversals and scored the clean three-count. “Sensational” Sherri Martel was definitely excited about seeing her men walk out the winners. ****

3) In a special attraction, Antonino Rocca scored a hard-fought win over Larry Sharpe. The Argentinian sensation pulled Sharpe from the apron into the ring in the opening minutes and into his Argentinian backbreaker, but Tom Branch made him release the hold, as Sharpe had his foot over the top rope. Rocca slipped coming off the top rope and hit his head, in a scene similar to his last USWA appearance against Virgil. Sharpe went for an almost immediate cover, but only got two. Sharpe hit two piledrivers, but still couldn’t stop Rocca. With the Dallas fans rooting him on, Rocca staged a comeback and hit some of his fast paced, unorthodox offense. He picked up Sharpe into a second backbreaker and got the submission. **¼

4) In a tag team match with two injured wrestlers, Yukon Eric and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka emerged victorious over Killer Kowalski and Buff Bagwell. Bagwell took the majority of punishment in the opening minutes, getting taking one heck of a “whooping” from Snuka and Eric, including both men’s finishers. After a big Superfly Leap, Kowalski broke up the pin by diving off the other turnbuckle with a Bombs Away to Snuka. Bagwell ended up not looking so pretty, as he was busted open. Kowalski finally tagged in and went to work on Eric’s ear area, applying the claw and nailing another Bombs Away. Bagwell got a near fall on the “Superfly” after the Buff Blockbuster. Eric and Kowalski ended up back in the ring and Eric was a house of fire working on Kowalski’s injured ribs with a bear hug and applying his Kodiak Krunch, working both the back and ribs. Kowalski was amazingly resilient, refusing to give. Eric went for a new tactic and ascended the buckles. The big man came off with a big splash onto Kowalski, similar to Kowalski taking off his ear with the Bombs Away. The Sportatorium popped big at the site! Snuka cut off Bagwell and Eric scored the three-count, giving him his first win over Kowalski in the USWA and giving Kowalski his first pinfall loss since returning. ****½

5) “Ravishing” Rick Rude defeated Billy Red Lyons. Lyons had control early, after Rude missed a knee drop off the top rope. Lyons looked on his way to what would have been a big win, but made one mistake and got hit with a swinging neckbreaker. Rude followed up with the Rude Awakening and got the pinfall. Rude received a lot of boos from the Dallas crowd, who remember him from his time in World Class Championship Wrestling. **¾

6) Sabu scored a quick win over Bobo Brazil. The Bombay madman had most of the offense here, hitting a triple jump moonsault early, but he was unable to score the pin. Sabu executed a huracanrana into a roll-up and grabbed the ropes for leverage, unseen by Sam Platania, and scored the pinfall. Brazil got up and complained about the leverage, but was jumped by Sabu, who nailed him with a steel chair. Sabu went to ringside, grabbed the announcers’ table and brought it into the ring. He placed Brazil on it and went to hit a triple jump moonsault, the same move he put Brazil out with at the end of 2006. Brazil rolled off the table and Sabu crashed and burned, going through the table himself. Brazil recovered and pounded away on Sabu. The two grapplers brawled back to the locker room, followed by Abdullah Farouk, trying to help Sabu! ½*

7) In a non-title match, USWA World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy battled former champions The Midnight Express to a double DQ. The Heenan Family duo worked over “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey in the first few minutes, with Superstar applying his Cobra Hold, and Bundy following up with an Avalanche. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton saved Condrey from the pinfall at the count of 4. Eaton tagged in and knocked the big Bundy off his feet with a missile dropkick. Superstar came back in, but got tripped by Jim Cornette from the outside as he was going for a body slam. Bobby Heenan cried fowl, but Tom Branch didn’t see it. Bundy got hit with two Double Goozles. The Midnights looked on their way to victory, when they executed the Midnight Massacre on Superstar, but Heenan draped Superstar’s foot on the bottom rope. This time it was Cornette’s turn to protest. More than a verbal protest, he clocked “The Brain” with his tennis racket! Bundy got down off the apron and went after the “Louisville Slugger”, but was cut off by Eaton, who jumped Bundy. Superstar rolled out and nailed Eaton from behind with one of the Tag Team title belts, but the “Loverboy” quickly followed and smacked Superstar with the racket. With so many infractions of the rules, Branch was left with no choice but to disqualify both teams. The bell didn’t stop the brawling as all six men went at it! It took several USWA referees and officials to finally separate them! ****

8) The Sheik emerged victorious over Dan “The Beast” Severn in what, to little surprise, was a very bloody match. Severn applied the wakigatame early on, but Sheik rolled into the ropes. Sheik took over and applied the Camel Clutch, but this time it was Severn who reached the ropes. Sheik rammed Severn’s head and shoulder into the ringpost on the outside, which busted him open. Sheik seized the opportunity then applied a hammerlock in the center of the ring for several minutes, but Severn somehow rolled out of the hold. Severn caught Sheik with a head and arm throw, which was the move he pinned him with to win the Southern Heavyweight championship in October. Severn immediately went for another wakigatame, but Sheik again got into the ropes. By this point, Sheik too was bleeding, but Severn was the worse of the two. “The Beast” executed a fireman’s carry slam, then a German suplex, after which Sheik rolled outside the ring. Severn followed, but got his back rammed into the ringpost. Sheik rolled him back in and again applied the Camel Clutch. Severn was trapped in the middle of the ring and had no choice but to surrender. ****½ (NOTE: Severn has seven fatigue tokens on him, while Sheik had six!)

9) Capt. Lou Albano was a happy man, as Brutus Beefcake became the new USWA Texas champion defeating B. Brian Blair. The San Francisco native looked more focused than ever, controlling the offense in the opening minutes of the bout. Blair came back and hit a nice flying body press, but only got a two-count. Beefcake hit a running stomp on the champ, but only could put him down for two. Blair showcased his wrestling ability and used an airplane spin for a near fall. The Killer Bee locked Beefcake in his sleeper and looked like he had the challenger going out, but Albano distracted Kevin Christian and Blair released the hold to chase the manager off the apron. Blair went up the ropes, but Albano briefly got on the apron again, momentarily distracting him. Blair turned his attention back to the ring and came off with another flying body press, but Beefcake had recovered and dodged the move, causing Blair to crash hard. Beefcake bounced off the ropes and nailed his flying knee smash. He covered Blair and scored the pinfall to become the new champ of the Lone Star State. The Sportatorium didn’t seem too happy with the flamboyant Beefcake as their new representative! ***

10) Another of Capt. Lou Albano’s men was challenging for a championship as Greg “The Hammer” Valentine challenged Frank Gotch for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship in the main event. The two exchanged some great wrestling holds early on, but Gotch took over. He showcased his boxing skills, by leveling Valentine with some stiff punches. Gotch applied the Gotch Toehold and it was “All she wrote,” as Valentine tapped out to the hold. **

In the next report, a preview of Card #161 from the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis! Who will be “Strangler” Lewis’ next challenger for the World Heavyweight championship?

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on March 1 and March 8:
• Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express appeared on the March 1 edition. The brash manager made a challenge to Bobby Heenan and the World Tag Team champions Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy. He said that even though they didn’t defeat the champs in the non-title match, they definitely took them to the limit. He challenged the Heenan Family duo to a title match on March 21 in his hometown of Louisville at the Gardens. He said if they’re truly the greatest team in the world, they will accept. “The Brain” accepted for his team on the March 8 episode and said that Cornette and the Midnights will be embarrassed in Cornette’s hometown and Mama Cornette will need all kinds of lawyers to repair the damage to the family name.
• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer announced that he will make his in-ring return on the next card (see Card #161 preview below). He said that he is still calling out Ed “Strangler” Lewis for a World Heavyweight title shot and shouldn’t have to wait for one. But if he must, he will go through other USWA superstars to earn his shot.

The USWA returns home to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on March 14!
• Before the meet for the World Tag Team titles on the 21st, both champions Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy and The Midnight Express will be in action! The Midnights will take on the Team RPW Oklahomans of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. Hutton and Hodge scored a big win on February 15 in Nashville. Can they repeat? Superstar and Bundy will do battle with The Killer Bees. The champs hold two wins over B. Brian Blair and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell, but never by pinfall or submission. Can they get a win prior to the big title match or will The Bees score a huge win over the champs?
• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer will make his in-ring return against young Brad Armstrong. The masked man hopes to gain an impressive win over the Georgia native to get a title shot at “Strangler” Lewis. But he shouldn’t underestimate Armstrong!
• Two rivals meet up again as Bobo Brazil battles The Sheik! Sheik is coming off an impressive win over Dan Severn. The last time Brazil and Sheik met one-on-one, they ended up in the concession stands. Brazil is also looking for revenge, for Sheik burning his ally Red Bastien in Nashville a few weeks ago.
• In a huge bout, Rikidozan battles “Ravishing” Rick Rude. The former USWA World Heavyweight champion was attacked by The Heenan Family in the locker room after his rematch with “Strangler” Lewis in Lexington. As it turned out, this was part of the plot to keep him away from ringside, when The Destroyer attacked Lewis and collected on the bounty. Can Rikidozan gain a win over the “Ravishing One”, who has an impressive record so far?
• The main event will be for the USW A World Heavyweight championship as Ed “Strangler” Lewis puts the gold on the line against two-time former champ “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Rose has yet to lose by pin or submission in 2008 and made the challenge for a title shot on the March 1 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling. Lewis accepted, saying he’s beaten Rose before and will do so again, despite an injured leg from The Destroyer’s attack. Rose seems to the opportunist, as he won his first championship from Nick Bockwinkel, who was suffering from a concussion. Can Rose become a three-time champ or will Lewis keep a stranglehold on the belt?
All this plus Yukon Eric battles Buff Bagwell, new USWA Texas champ Brutus Beefcake in action, and the hillbilly Cousin Luke returns to action, following his betrayal by former partner Danny Doring!