Cory's USWA Fed

[Cory Olson]

March 14, 2008
Card #161: Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis

1) New USWA Texas champion Brutus Beefcake won over newcomer George South by countout. South most recently competed in the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in the Carolinas. He showcased a little bit of offense against Beefcake, but the San Francisco native dominated. Beefcake took South outside the ring and body slammed him on the floor. He crawled back in, while Paul Neighbors counted South out of the ring. *

2) Cousin Luke returned to action and scored a quick win over Larry Sharpe. The hillbilly was fired up and the Memphis crowd supported him. Luke scored the pinfall after a Hillbilly Drop. He looked focused to get revenge on Buddy Rose, Danny Doring, and “Sensational” Sherri Martel! DUD

3) Sabu pinned Billy Red Lyons. Lyons was hoping for a measure of revenge, after Sabu and his uncle The Sheik burned his partner Red Bastien with a fireball last month. Lyons applied the figure-four leglock early on, but Sabu quickly rolled to the ropes. The Bombay madman made a comeback and hit a triple jump moonsault for the win. ½*

4) Fresh off his first USWA win over Killer Kowalski, Yukon Eric defeated another of Capt. Lou Albano’s men in Buff Bagwell. Eric seems to be recovered from his injury. He used his Kodiak Krunch several times, but couldn’t gain the submission. Bagwell made a comeback and executed his Buff Blockbuster, but only got a two-count. Bagwell whipped Eric into the ropes, but the big man just bounced back and knocked Bagwell down like he was nothing. Eric went for a cover, but couldn’t get the pin. He picked Bagwell up again for the Krunch. Albano got up on the apron, but Eric spun Bagwell around and knocked his legs into his own manager, sending Albano down! Eric tossed Bagwell into the ropes and nailed him with a big running tackle. He made the cover and picked up the win. ***

5) The Midnight Express looked dominate in avenging their loss last month to the Team RPW Oklahomans of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis showcased their double teaming skills, cutting the ring off on Hutton and keeping him in the entire time. Condrey scored the pinfall on Hutton after the Midnight Massacre. DUD

6) The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer won his first USWA match since 2006, by making Brad Armstrong submit. Although he is not an official member of The Heenan Family, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan did accompany The Destroyer to ringside. The masked man worked on Armstrong’s leg, stomping on it and applying a single leg Boston Crab. He applied the figure-four leglock and Armstrong quickly tapped out. The Mid-South Coliseum berated Destroyer and Heenan with boos afterwards! ¼*

7) The Killer Bees defeated USWA World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar & King Kong Bundy by DQ in a non-title contest. Coming off B. Brian Blair’s loss of the Texas title on the last card, The Bees were looking to get back into the Tag Team title picture. They kept Superstar in the ring for the opening minutes. They used both Blair’s sleeper as well as “Jumping” Jim’s dropkick, but couldn’t keep him down. The big Bundy came in but got hit with the Bee Sting, but Bobby Heenan distracted Frank Morrell before he could make the count. Bundy took over after ramming Brunzell’s back into the ringpost on the floor, then threw him in the ring and hit the Avalanche, but Blair made a save. The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette came out at this point and watched the match from the aisle. Superstar hit a big Superstar clothesline on Blair for a very near fall. He followed up with his dreaded spinning neckbreaker, but only got a two. After some tagging in and out, the champs went for a double team. Bundy held Blair in the corner, while Superstar charged at him with a running splash. But Blair broke free and Superstar smashed into his own partner, then went flying over the ropes to the floor. Angered by the mistake, Superstar grabbed one of the Tag Team title belts and smashed Blair with it. Unfortunately Morrell saw the action and immediately called for the bell giving the Bees the win, although probably not the kind of win, they wanted. Cornette seemed to snicker from the aisle, most likely at the champs’ frustration and DQ loss. ***¾

8) Bobo Brazil made history, as he scored his first pinfall win in the USWA over The Sheik! The Michigan native was fired up and focused and hardly let his rival breath, as he bloodied him up with several Coco Butts. He utilized a hammerlock, a move Sheik has won with, for a near submission. Abdullah Farouk tried to intervene, but got blasted with a Coco Butt as well. A final Coco Butt put the Syrian down for the count. The Mid-South Coliseum popped big time at seeing Bobo score this historic win! **

9) “Ravishing” Rick Rude scored his biggest win to date, defeating former World Heavyweight champion Rikidozan. The Japanese superstar was looking for some revenge, after The Heenan Family attacked him in the locker room in Lexington. But Rude took over and focused his attack on the neck. Rikidozan kicked out of a Rude Awakening. He got hit with a swinging neckbreaker, but Rude again only got a two-count. The “Ravishing One” hit another Rude Awakening and put his feet on the middle ropes, with Bobby Heenan holding on from outside the ring. Jerry Calhoun didn’t see the illegal leverage and it helped Rude score a big three-count. Rude continued to pound on Rikidozan afterwards. Heenan jumped in the ring and the two looked like they were going to attack Rikidozan. Suddenly World Heavyweight champ Ed “Strangler” Lewis made his way down to the ring. “The Brain” ran out of the ring and hightailed it back to the locker room, but Rude got caught! Lewis and Rikidozan pounded away on him. The champ held Rude, while Rikidozan blasted away at his chest with some of his famous chops. He hit with such force, that Rude suffered a torn pectoral muscle. At this point, it was unknown if Rude would miss any ring time, but Lewis and Rikidozan “one upped” things in this big war. **½

10) After intermission, Ed “Strangler” Lewis was back out to defend his USWA World Heavyweight championship in the main event against former two-time champ “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Lewis had his leg wrapped from The Destroyer’s attack last month. But he was still fired up as he took Rose down with a leg trip off of a bear hug and then turned it into his Strangler’s Headlock. Rose fought the hold in vain, but eventually tapped. The crowd popped big at Lewis’ win, despite the short bout. DUD

In the next update, find out the line-up for the return to the champ's hometown of Louisville!

[Cory Olson]

It was announced on the March 15 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling that The Flying Redheads have decided to leave the USWA. They are planning to tour Billy Red Lyons’ native Canada, in various provinces that host wrestling. Both men thanked the fans for their support and said they hope to return to the area in the future.

A huge card of wrestling action comes to the Louisville Gardens on March 21!
• Two former tag team partners collide as Cousin Luke takes on “Dastardly” Danny Doring. The hillbilly is looking for revenge on Doring. Will “Sensational” Sherri Martel play a factor in the outcome? Is Luke still infatuated with Sherri?
• Tag team rivals will collide as The Killer Bees will face The Killer B’s. B. Brian Blair and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell are coming off a big DQ win over the World Tag Team champions, but The B’s have momentum in this feud with Brutus Beefcake capturing the Texas title. The Bees came out the victors last time they met, but can they repeat or will Capt. Lou’s men come out on top?
• Speaking of the Captain, another of his men will be in the ring, as Killer Kowalski tangles with Yukon Eric. Kowalski is still suffering from injured ribs, but can he overcome the pain to put down his foe?
• In a huge tag team bout, Louisville’s own and the USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis will team with Rikidozan to battle “Ravishing” Rick Rude and “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan struck a deal with Rose to team up with Rude. Despite his torn pec, the “Ravishing One” plans to compete. When Lance Russell asked Heenan on USWA Championship Wrestling why he didn’t enlist The Destroyer’s services again, “The Weasel” replied that the masked man wishes to meet Lewis for the first time with the title on the line. Who will win this big tag team bout?
• The main event will also feature a “Louisvillian” as “The Louisville Slugger” Jim Cornette will lead The Midnight Express to challenge Bobby Heenan’s team of the World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy. “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis are looking to regain the gold from the team that beat them (and gave them their first pinfall loss in the USWA.) But The Heenan Family team isn’t going down without a fight. Who will walk out of the Gardens the champs and how will Louisville welcome Mr. Cornette?
All this plus a rematch between “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Also, The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer, Bobo Brazil, Dan “The Beast” Severn, and more in action!

[Cory Olson]

March 21, 2008
Card #162: Louisville Gardens

1) Dan “The Beast” Severn got a win in a good opener over Brad Armstrong. Armstrong held his own with Severn, showcasing some great scientific wrestling moves of his own. Armstrong whipped Severn into the buckle, but “The Beast” reversed the whip. When Armstrong bounced back, Severn caught him in a German suplex and took him back into a bridge for the pinfall. Severn and Dick Hutton shook hands with Armstrong afterwards. *

2) Bobo Brazil scored a quick win over Larry Sharpe. Fresh off his huge win over The Sheik last week, Brazil showed that he’s got more in his arsenal than the Coco Butt. He scored a submission win over Sharpe with a grinding hammerlock, a move he used on Sheik last week and that Sheik himself likes to use. DUD

3) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka beat rival Greg Valentine by DQ. Valentine worked on Snuka’s leg in the first part of the match, after Snuka missed a charge in the corner and hit his leg on the turnbuckle. “The Hammer” applied the figure-four leglock, but Snuka got to the ropes. Snuka came back and had Valentine. He climbed the ropes, presumably for the Superfly Leap. Capt. Lou Albano got up on the apron and distracted Snuka. Meanwhile Valentine got to his feet and shook the ropes, causing Snuka to land on the mat, and right on the hurt leg. “Superfly” wisely rolled out of the ring, but “The Hammer” followed. Valentine stomped away on Snuka’s on the floor, then grabbed a steel chair. With apparently no care for the rules, he smacked Snuka’s leg with the chair. Tommy Gilbert saw this and called for the bell. Valentine continued the attack, while Albano barked orders. Killer Kowalski came down to ringside and joined in on the ambush. They threw Snuka into the ring and Valentine put the chair over Snuka’s leg. Kowalski climbed the ropes, possibly to come off with a stomp or the Bombs Away onto the chair. Before he could, Yukon Eric came down to the ring with an ax-handle in hand. He chased off Valentine, Kowalski, and Albano before further damage could be done. He pointed towards Kowalski as sign of their match later in the evening. **½

4) Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge defeated The Sheik and Sabu by DQ in a match continuing the feud between Team RPW and The Sheik and Sabu. Abdullah Farouk’s men kept Hutton in the ring for a majority of the match, even knocking Hodge off the apron with some cheap shots, to keep him from tagging in. Sheik choked Hutton at ringside with a microphone chord at one point, then threw him back in the ring and applied the Camel Clutch. Hodge came in and smashed Sheik with a big forearm shot. Sabu jumped in the ring, but was tossed out by Hodge! Hutton recovered and applied the abdominal stretch, which drew a big pop from the Garden fans! Hutton kept the hold on and drug Sheik to his corner, where he finally tagged to Hodge. In a great spot, Hodge “switched” and applied an abdominal stretch of his own! He pulled Sheik back to the center of the ring. Sheik fought like crazy, but couldn’t get to the ropes. With no other options but submitting, Sheik wound up and nailed referee Scott Bowden with a chop to the throat! Bowden went down and called for the bell, giving Hutton and Hodge the DQ win. Sheik, Sabu, and Farouk quickly retreated to the locker room. Bowden was unable to officiate the rest of the evening and was replaced by local referee Joe Wheeler. **¼

5) “Dastardly” Danny Doring got a quick win over former partner Cousin Luke. Despite the recent betrayal by Doring, Buddy Rose, and “Sensational” Sherri Martel, the hillbilly is still infatuated with Sherri, as he waved at her prior to the bout. The distraction led to his downfall again as Doring attacked Luke right away. Doring hit his Panty Drop Elbow, then went up the ropes again and hit the Danaconda for the win in less than one minute. Rose came down to ringside and the duo went to work again on the fallen Luke. Doring hit another Danaconda to the back of Luke’s neck, then Rose followed off the opposite corner with a Bombs Away to the same spot. Rose and Doring then hit the double team maneuver they’ve utilized before, with Rose holding Luke out in sort of an upside down bear hug, and Doring following up with another Danaconda to the back of the neck. Luke suffered a minor neck injury and is expected to be out of action for about a month. (Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones were not present at this card, since they were not scheduled to wrestle and thus didn’t save their new ally Luke.) DUD

6) The Destroyer defeated George South by submission. Being in World champ “Strangler” Lewis’ hometown of Louisville, the masked man was booed mercilessly by the fans in the Gardens. Destroyer worked over South’s leg throughout the bout, coming off the turnbuckles with stomps to the leg, as well as applying a single leg Boston Crab on more than one occasion. The moves helped, as the “Intelligent, Sensational One” applied the figure-four and got South to tap out. Destroyer was pelted by some garbage o the way back to the locker room, but managed to make it out of the arena alive! ½*

7) Capt. Lou Albano’s Killer B’s got a quick win over The Killer Bees, thanks to some sneaky tactics. Apparently new Texas champion Brutus Beefcake is not a “fighting” champion, as he stayed on the ring apron the whole match. Perhaps he was avoiding former champ B. Brian Blair. The Bees hit a double atomic drop on Buff Bagwell, then “Jumping” Jim Brunzell ascended the turnbuckles. Beefcake snuck over to the corner. Blair saw him and jumped in the ring, but was cut off by Joe Wheeler. Beefcake shoved Brunzell off the top rope, sending him crashing to the mat. Bagwell recovered and hit a double arm DDT to score the pin on Brunzell. The B’s and Albano quickly retreated to the locker room, but not before Beefcake held up the Texas belt in a boastful gesture to Blair! *

8) Despite injured ribs, Killer Kowalski got another victory over Yukon Eric. Eric was a house of fire in the opening minutes, working over Kowalski’s ribs, even taking him outside the ring and driving Kowalski into the guard railing. He applied the Kodiak Krunch, but couldn’t get the submission. He hit a top rope splash, which brought him a pinfall last week, but he wouldn’t go for the cover. It may have turned out to be his mistake, as Kowalski came back and started to work on Eric’s severed ear, hitting a Bombs Away. He applied the face claw. Eric fought hard, but was weakened and went down the mat. Eric wouldn’t surrender, but had his shoulders pinned to the mat, giving Kowalski an impressive victory. ***¼

9) Hometown hero and USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis teamed up with former champ Rikidozan to earn a very hard fought victory over “Ravishing” Rick Rude and “Playboy” Buddy Rose. The roof nearly came off the Gardens when Lewis came out to the ring, as the fans erupted! Both Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and “Sensational” Sherri Martel were in the corner for Rude and Rose. Rude wear heavy bandages over his torn pec, caused by Rikidozan last week. Lewis started off strong against Rose. Rikidozan came in and Rose got some near falls on him. Rude came in and got the advantage on Lewis. He hit a piledriver for a nearfall. The “Playboy” came back in and hit the Bombs Away twice in a row, but took his time in going for a cover, and Lewis easily kicked out. Rose came off the top with a flying body press, but still couldn’t get the pin. Rude tagged back in and worked over Lewis as the Louisville fans were going crazy wanting to see their champ come back. Rude hit a stiff clothesline, then followed up with an elbow drop across the bridge of Lewis’ nose, which busted the champ open. He went for a cover, but only got a two. Lewis finally made the comeback and threw Rude down with the headlock, which drew a huge pop from the crowd. Rude managed to get the ropes. Rikidozan finally came back in and Rude fled for his life, quickly tagging out to Rose. Rikidozan blasted Rose with punches and chops and sent Rose flying over the top rope. The “Playboy” almost got counted out, but managed to beat the 10. Lewis came back in and locked on the headlock. Rose fought hard, but ultimately had to tap out again. Rude and “The Brain” left the ring without checking on Rose, as Sherri screamed at them. Lewis and Rikidozan celebrated their win in the ring for several minutes, as the crowd cheered their hard earned win. ****

What a great card! But it's not over yet! Check back in a few, for the results of the big main event for the World Tag Team championship!

[Cory Olson]

10) After the intermission, another Louisville native made an appearance, as Jim Cornette led The Midnight Express to challenge Bobby Heenan’s World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy in the main event. It’s never certain how the Louisville Gardens’ fans will receive Cornette. Often it depends on who his men are fighting in the ring. Tonight, they welcomed him like a hometown hero and berated The Heenan Family, most likely due to “The Brain’s” involvement with The Destroyer and their attack on Ed “Strangler” Lewis.

The Midnights started off strong on the champs, hitting the Double Goozle on the Superstar. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton took the fight to the floor and hit a nice bulldog right on the arena floor. While Eaton climbed back in the ring, Cornette followed up with almost a mocking elbow drop on Superstar. Heenan yelled at Cornette and tried to tell Paul Morton what happened, but to no avail. Bundy tagged in and was beat on, but when Eaton dove off the apron to the floor, Bundy caught him and slammed his back into the ringpost. He then applied a bear hug in the ring to work on Eaton’s back. Bundy later worked on “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey, hitting an elbow drop, then later an Avalanche. He pulled Condrey up and he and Superstar hit the double Avalanche that they often use. Bundy went for a five-count, but Eaton broke it up. Eaton tagged in and tried a sunset flip on the big man. Bundy attempted to block it with a sitdown splash, but Eaton rolled out of the way and Bundy crashed hard. Eaton went for a cover, but Bundy powered out. Superstar tagged back in, but was thrown out of the ring, where Cornette blasted him with the tennis racket right to the head. Eaton blasted him with one of his famous right hands and went for a cover, but Bundy broke it up with a boot to Eaton. Superstar’s mask could be seen spotted with blood. He came back and managed to apply the Cobra Hold on Condrey, but the “Loverboy” made the ropes. Bundy was in, but The Midnights went to town on the big man. They did a modified Midnight Massacre on Bundy, with Condrey doing an over-the-knee backbreaker, as opposed to his usual over-the-shoulder one. Eaton went for the cover, but Superstar came in and head butted him from behind. Eaton was hurt and perhaps Superstar loaded the mask, while in the corner. Both Eaton and Bundy were hurt though and Morton put a 10-count on them. Both grapplers got to their feet. Bundy attempted to pick Eaton up for a backbreaker, but Eaton spun out and hit an awesome spinning neckbreaker. He went for a cover, but Heenan jumped on the apron to distract Morton. Cornette ran around the ring and clocked Heenan from behind with the racket. Superstar went after Cornette, but was cut off by Condrey. Meanwhile Cornette slipped in the ring from the other way and smacked Bundy over the head with the racket, busting him open as well. Once the ring cleared out and legal men Eaton and Bundy were left, Eaton followed up with a second neckbreaker, perhaps sending a message to Superstar. He went for the cover and got the pin in an awesome match! The Midnights celebrated with the belts while their theme music played and Cornette was definitely a happy man tonight. You can bet that Mama Cornette was happy as well. This is Eaton and Condrey’s second reign and Eaton’s fourth USWA World Tag Team championship. *****

[Cory Olson]

Card #162 was a memorable one—will #163 be able to top it?! We’ll find out on March 28 when the USWA returns to the Community Center in Cookeville, TN!
• In a rematch of a hot feud, Dan “The Beast” Severn locks up with the Syrian madman The Sheik! Severn is hoping for another shot at USWA gold. Sheik is currently unable to challenge for the Southern Heavyweight championship, as long as Frank Gotch holds the gold, but Abdullah Farouk has stated that he will destroy all competition and do whatever he can to hold a title again. Who will walk out of Cookeville the victor?
• Another of Farouk’s men will be in action, as the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu will take on Bobo Brazil! Sabu emerged victorious last time, but with a little help from the ring ropes. He nearly killed himself though attempting to injure Bobo again, by crashing through a table. This is guaranteed to be another wild melee!
• In tag team action, Capt. Lou Albano’s Killer B’s will take on Yukon Eric and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. Eric and the “Superfly” have their problems with Albano’s other charges, Killer Kowalski and Greg Valentine. Can they get by the duo of “Buff Daddy” and the USWA Texas champion?
• In a rematch of sorts from last week’s main event, the new USWA World Tag Team champions The Midnight Express will team up with their manager “The Louisville Slugger” Jim Cornette in six-man tag team action against The Masked Superstar, King Kong Bundy, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Heenan technically participated in a six-man tag bout in December, although he never tagged in. Will he actually see action this time? “The Weasel” claimed on WMC-TV that he will and that he will get his hands on that scrawny little “humanoid” Cornette for embarrassing him and his men by hitting them with his tennis racket. Cornette stated that he and The Midnights aren’t afraid of the Heenan Family, for they (Midnights) are the ones with the gold. Who will will win this six-man war?
• The main event will be for the Southern Heavyweight championship as Frank Gotch puts the belt on the line against former champ Killer Kowalski. Despite injured ribs, Kowalski has still competed and looked tough. He and Gotch have a history in the USWA, as in 2004 (the first year of the USWA), Kowalski gained some somewhat surprising victories over Gotch, then caused him internal injuries with his stomach claw. But Gotch returned, with stronger abs, thanks to the “stomach flattener” exercises patented by Martin “Farmer” Burns and defeated Kowalski. Gotch has been wrestling fewer non-title matches so far in 2008 and is focusing solely on defending the Southern gold. Can he retain or will Kowalski pull off another big win and grab his second championship?
Also, Rikidozan takes on Greg “The Hammer” Valentine! Plus, The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, and the Team RPW Oklahomans of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge in action!

[Cory Olson]

BREAKING NEWS

HUGE WORLD TITLE BOUT SIGNED

A huge announcement was made regarding the next USWA World Heavyweight title defense. This announcement was not made on USWA Championship Wrestling, but rather on the WMC-TV's nightly news broadcast (where the USWA's own Dave Brown also works as weatherman!) Sportscaster "Big" Jack Eaton (no relation to "Beautiful" Bobby) made the announcement that the match had been signed for April 11 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. That bout will see Ed "Strangler" Lewis defend his USWA World Heavyweight championship against the man who attacked him and collected the bounty on him in February, The "Intelligent, Sensational" Destroyer!

Lewis was interviewed by "Big" Jack earlier in the day and said that if Destroyer won't wrestle him in anything but a title bout, then he'll be a fighting champion and put the gold on the line. He said that the cowardly masked man will regret putting money above honor, when he decided to attack the champ.

This will be the first time that the USWA World Heavyweight crown has been defended in San Antonio. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as more matches are announced for this historic card!

[Cory Olson]

Matches 1-8 were played in a great wrestling city--St. Louis--when Chad and I were there for the NCAA wrestling championships. I don't know if it's quite Sam Muchnick style booking, but enjoy it anyway!

March 28, 2008
Card #163: Community Center in Cookeville, TN

1) Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge got a quick win in the opener over George South and Larry Sharpe. The two Team RPW teammates continue to improve as a team. Hodge hit his Oklahoma side roll on South, but they rolled close to the ropes. Hodge tagged out to Hutton who did the same move rolling South back towards the middle of the ring. South kicked out, but got locked in the abdominal stretch and immediately surrender, before Sharpe could even enter the match. DUD.

2) “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring went to 2-0 as a team with a big upset over The Killer Bees. B. Brian Blair was fired up early on, but got overzealous and missed a splash into the corner, hitting his head on the ringpost, falling to the floor, and almost getting counted out. Doring followed up with the Danaconda, but “Jumping” Jim Brunzell jumped in to make the save. Brunzell tagged in and blasted the “Playboy” with his dropkick, but this time it was Doring making a save. Blair and Doring went back-and-forth, when Doring caught him with a small package out of nowhere. Doring grabbed Blair’s tights as well, unseen by Sam Platania, and got the surprise three-count. “Sensational” Sherri Martel was definitely excited by her men’s victory, while The Bees looked upset. **¾

3) Despite a torn pec, “Ravishing” Rick Rude emerged victorious over Brad Armstrong. The Georgia native Armstrong did his best to take advantage of Rude’s injury and score an upset win. But Rude still showed great strength and fortitude. After a reverse atomic drop, Rude followed up with a Rude Awakening for the pinfall. **

4) The Sheik was declared the winner in a bout with rival Dan Severn, but it was a very controversial decision. Sheik jumped “The Beast” before Gary Michael Cappetta could finish his introduction of the Team RPW member. The Syrian madman went right to work, bringing out his sharp object early on and carving Severn up with it. Severn fought hard and would not give up as he would battle back against the Sheik, using the wakigatame on him, as well as catching him in a pin with a head and arm throw—the same move he used to defeat Sheik with for the Southern title in September. But Severn’s blood loss was weakening him and Sheik took advantage locking in the Camel Clutch and using the object more, but still keeping it out of the sight of Kevin Christian. From ringside, “coach” Dick Hutton could tell Sheik was using it and would yell at Christian, but to no avail. Severn made the ropes to break the Clutch, but Sheik continued to pound away on him. Severn caught Sheik with a fireman’s carry slam, but couldn’t maintain offensive control. Christian continued to check Severn’s wound and asked “The Beast” if he wanted to quit, but Severn refused. Finally with so much blood loss, Christian stopped the bout and awarded it to The Sheik. Severn was angry, and although weakened by the blood loss and barely able to stand, he yelled for The Sheik’s head. Hutton, along with Danny Hodge and Southern champ Frank Gotch helped Severn to the back. The Community Center was not happy about this decision one bit and they let Christian know about it with words that won’t be repeated here! ****¼
(NOTE: Sheik used his “stab with sharp object” SIX times in this match! I used my “blood stoppage” rule in this one, as Severn's PIN Rating equaled 12.)

5) Greg Valentine scored a big upset win over the struggling Rikidozan. The former World champion started off strong against “The Hammer”, but Valentine took over and targeted Rikidozan’s neck, using a neckbreaker for a near fall and several forearm shots to the back of the neck. Valentine applied his figure-four leglock, but Rikidozan made the ropes. After throwing Rikidozan into the ringpost, Valentine followed up with another neckbreaker and made the cover for the surprise three-count. **½

6) Bobo Brazil defeated Sabu. Sabu followed his uncle’s actions from earlier and jumped Brazil before the bell. But he would crash and burn after a missed somersault senton off the top rope and land on his arm. Bobo attacked the arm, applying a grinding hammerlock, but Sabu got to the ropes. Several Coco Butts later Brazil would get the pinfall. *¾

7) The Destroyer got a submission win over S.D. Jones. The masked man does what he does best, in focusing his attack on the opponent’s leg. He applied his single leg Boston Crab to soften up “Special Delivery” for his figure-four, which brought about a quick tap out. The “Intelligent, Sensational One” looks impressive going into his shot at the World Heavyweight championship. ¾*

8) The Killer B’s scored a big win over the team of “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Yukon Eric. Just like last week’s card, Buff Bagwell started the match off for his team and it looked like Texas champion Brutus Beefcake wasn’t going to tag in. Snuka worked over Bagwell in the early going, even hitting a Superfly Leap, but Beefcake pulled Sam Platania out of the ring before he could count three. Platania didn’t disqualify The B’s, but while arguing with Beefcake and Capt. Lou Albano, Bagwell recovered and took over. Beefcake eventually tagged in and nailed the big Eric with his flying knee smash, but only got a two-count. It was back-and-forth action, as Eric later got Beefcake up in his Kodiak Krunch, but Beefcake managed to get his foot over the top rope. Snuka hit a flying body press off the top for a two-count, then went up again for a Superfly Leap, but missed. Beefcake recovered and locked the “Superfly” in a sleeper. Just as Snuka looked like he was going out, his arm raised before the third drop and he made the ropes. Eric came back in, but the Texas champ hit him with three more flying knee smashes, but still couldn’t keep him down. Beefcake blasted Eric right in the face with his studded arm band, which busted the big Alaskan open. Snuka broke up the pin attempt, which also brought Bagwell in. While Bagwell and Snuka brawled in the corner, Beefcake tried to help his partner out, but got nailed from behind by a big running splash from Eric. Eric went for a cover, but only got a two-count. Snuka tagged back in and immediately nailed Beefcake with a flying head butt, but again the Texas champ kicked out. Bagwell came in and was sent into the corner. Snuka dove at him with a corner splash, but missed and hit his head on the turnbuckle, busting him open as well. Snuka was knocked silly from this. Bagwell took advantage, picking Snuka up and delivering a nice scoop slam. He went for the cover and got the pinfall. ****½

9) Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s first actual USWA match turned out to be a success, as he scored the pinfall to give him, The Masked Superstar, and King Kong Bundy the win over the new World Tag Team champions The Midnight Express and their manager Jim Cornette. Normally Superstar starts off the matches for him and Bundy, but the New Jersey giant insisted on starting off against “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, perhaps for the hopes of gaining revenge for Bundy being the one pinned in the title change last week. Unfortunately “Beautiful” Bobby seemed to show him up, as he hit a spinning neckbreaker (with which The Midnights regained the gold last week), then tagged in “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey. The champs hit an early Rocket Launcher on Bundy, but the big man got his shoulder up at 2¾. Superstar tagged in and wore down Condrey, so that “The Weasel” could tag in and get in some cheap shots. Heenan punched Condrey with a foreign object and then tossed it to his partner’s, unbeknownst to Tom Branch. But Condrey quickly recovered and executed a backbreaker on Heenan. He went for a cover, but Superstar and Bundy made the save for their manager. Condrey tagged out to his manager for the first time. When Heenan saw Cornette, he freaked out and immediately tagged to Superstar. (Who’d have thought someone would be running away from Jim Cornette?!) Cornette was cocky and actually got in some good punches on the masked man, but Superstar regained control and locked in the Cobra Hold. But rather than try and put “The Louisville Slugger” out, Superstar, per Heenan’s orders, tagged out to Bundy, who placed a weakened Cornette in the corner and delivered the Avalanche! Bundy went for his typical five-count pin, but at 4½ both Eaton and Condrey made the save, blasting Bundy with a double clothesline. Bundy was shook up, yet not surprisingly, Cornette was more hurt. With Cornette down, Bundy tagged out to “The Brain” who confidently took some punches at Cornette. Heenan waited too long as Cornette recovered and fired away on Heenan! The Cookeville fans were definitely favoring the champs and Cornette tonight! “Beautiful” Bobby tagged back in and looked to have things wrapped up. He nailed a missile dropkick on “The Weasel”. This brought Bundy into the ring, but “Loverboy” Dennis cut him off and the two brawled in one corner of the ring. While referee Branch was preoccupied with those two, Eaton went up to the other corner to come off with another high risk move. But Superstar had loaded up his mask in the corner, with the same object that his manager used earlier on Condrey. Superstar went over to the corner and head butted Eaton, knocking him off the top rope and into the center of the ring. With Cornette recovering from his beating and Condrey and Bundy still going at it, Heenan rolled on to Eaton and Branch turned around to make the three-count. The Community Center nearly rioted at the site and Cornette and his men were upset by one of the most shocking pinfalls in USWA history! ***

10) Capt. Lou Albano was hoping for a perfect night for his men, but Killer Kowalski would have to fight through the pain of injured ribs in order to try and win his second USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. And he would be challenging an old foe in current title holder Frank Gotch.

The champ started off more aggressive than usual, throwing some boxing punches at the challenger and even throwing shots to Kowalski’s injured ribs. Kowalski went for the stomach version of the claw, but Gotch was able to break the hold quickly. Kowalski then decided to focus on Gotch’s head. He hit two Bombs Aways, but couldn’t get the win. He applied the face claw. With Dick Hutton coaching from ringside, Gotch was able to ram Kowalski backwards into the buckle, right into the injured ribs and break the hold. Gotch applied a body scissors on the ribs and slipped in a half nelson, trying to pin the big man, but couldn’t hold him down. With Gotch’s pure wrestling seemingly overcoming him, Kowalski decided to take the fight to the floor. Albano helped out, as he got into an argument with Hutton, which tied up Tom Branch’s attention, leaving Kowalski to smash Gotch in the head with the Southern title belt. He later used a steel chair to Gotch’s head as well and rammed him into the ringpost. He applied the face claw again back in the ring and by this point the champ was bleeding. Kowalski held it on for over a minute, but Gotch would not respond. With the champ in the hold and his shoulders on the mat, Branch counted the pinfall and Kowalski captured his second Southern championship! Albano was overjoyed at having a second champion in his stable. Hutton complained to Branch about the illegal tactics, but to no avail. Danny Hodge came down to help Gotch to the back. (Dan Severn was rushed to a hospital following his earlier match with The Sheik to receive several stitches for his own wound.) Greg Valentine and The Killer B’s celebrated the win with Kowalski and Albano in the locker room in footage that aired the next day on USWA Championship Wrestling. ****¼

[Cory Olson]

Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling from March 29 and April 5:
• Bobby “The Brain” Heenan was certainly bragging on the 3-29 episode after his pinfall on “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton in the six-man tag team match the night before. The manager bragged about pinning one-half of the World Tag Team champions and now wants to be referred to as the “uncrowned USWA World Tag Team champion”! Jim Cornette responded the following week claiming that “The Weasel” only won because Superstar’s loaded mask put Eaton down. He said that if Heenan wants to step in the ring with him or The Midnights again, they’d more than willing to take him on!
• Speaking of the World Tag Team championships, The Midnights’ next defense will come on April18 at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, and it will be against The Killer B’s. The Midnights had a wild feud with the Capt. Lou Albano-managed Vachons last year, and will battle the Captain’s newest team. Naturally Cornette and Albano got involved in last year’s bouts and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it happen again! (What is it with Cornette and the other rulebreaker managers?)  Brutus Beefcake could come out of this bout a double champion, but he will need to defend his Texas championship on the next card. (See Card #164 preview below.)
• Another title bout has been signed for the month of April. New Southern Heavyweight champion Killer Kowalski will make his first defense against another rulebreaker, “Ravishing” Rick Rude! Kowalski has been impressive, having to battle through injured ribs. Rude himself is fighting with a torn pectoral, but said on WMC-TV that he will be in top fighting form come April 25 in Evansville.

What could be one of the biggest cards in USWA history will take place on April 11 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio!
• After being embarrassed by Bobby Heenan, World Tag Team champion “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton looks for some redemption against The Masked Superstar! Superstar has an impressive record in singles, but Eaton has pulled off upsets in the past. Who will come out the winner in this one?
• New Southern Heavyweight champ Killer Kowalski teams up with fellow stable mate Greg “The Hammer” Valentine to take on rivals “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Yukon Eric. Albano’s men have the momentum with Kowalski’s title win and Valentine’s upset of Rikidozan. Which team will win this brutal battle?
• The war between Bobo Brazil and The Sheik will continue in San Antonio! Brazil joined a small group of wrestlers to have defeated Sheik via pin or submission last month in Memphis. Can he repeat or will The Sheik brawl his way to another win?
• “Ravishing” Rick Rude has never been at a loss for confidence, but he may be overdoing it here. Before challenging for the Southern Heavyweight championship, the “Ravishing One” has agreed to a rematch with former World Heavyweight champion and the man who tore his pec—Rikidozan! Rude scored the big win at the Mid-South Coliseum with some ropes for leverage, but got chopped up afterwards. Can he make it 2-0 against the Japanese superstar?
• Brutus Beefcake will put his USWA Texas championship on the line against Team RPW member Danny Hodge. Hodge has yet to lose via pin or submission, since debuting in the USWA this past November. Beefcake has the size and overall strength advantage, but Hodge is definitely the better technical wrestler here, and has his freaky grip strength. Who will leave San Antonio the champ? And will the fans favor the flamboyant San Francisco native Beefcake or the Oklahoman Hodge?
• The main event will be one of the biggest main events already in 2008. Ed “Strangler” Lewis will put the USWA World Heavyweight title on the line against the man who betrayed him for money—The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer. Lewis said on Championship Wrestling that his leg is still bothering him a bit, but he’s ready to take on the masked coward. Destroyer said he will focus his attack on the leg and make Lewis give to the figure-four leglock. Should Destroyer capture the championship, he would become the first man in USWA history to have held the World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, and Southern Heavyweight titles. Will the USWA have its first masked World champion or will Lewis headlock his way to victory?
All this plus Frank Gotch battles Sabu, The Killer Bees in action, and the Argentinian sensation Antonino Rocca battles Buff Bagwell!

[Cory Olson]

April 11, 2008
Card #164: Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio

1) The Killer Bees came out the winners in the opener over George South and Larry Sharpe. Sharpe started off the match this time, but the results were similar to his and South’s last bout, as The Bees kept Sharpe in the ring the whole time. The Bees hit the Bee Sting, then just to ensure things, “Jumping” Jim Brunzell picked him up and nailed him with a dropkick before getting the pinfall. ¼*

2) “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring got another win over Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones. “The Birdman” and “Special Delivery” were hoping for a win over the rulebreakers, to get some revenge for Cousin Luke. In their short time teaming, Rose and Doring have learned to work well together, especially when it comes to bending the rules! Early on, Rose choked Jones at ringside with a microphone chord, while Doring provided a diversion in the ring. Ware and Jones came back and worked over Doring, hitting their respective Ghosbuster and head butt finishers on him, but couldn’t keep him down. Jones hit a power body slam and went for a cover, but Rose jumped in the ring. Ware came in too, but Frank Morrell saw him first and tried to get him out. Meanwhile Rose blasted Jones with a knee drop to the back of the head, breaking up the pin attempt. Doring followed up with a Danaconda but only got a two-count. Ware came back in, but was worked over as well. Rose landed the Bombs Away, but pulled Koko up before the three-count. Just to rub it in, he decided to use “Sensational” Sherri Martel’s purse, while the valet distracted Morrell. He blasted Koko with it, then took his time in making a cover, but Koko somehow kicked out! Rose tagged out to Doring and the two went for a double team, but Koko stopped them and delivered a noggin knocker. “The Birdman” was still woozy from the purse shot and tried to make a tag to Jones. As S.D. held out his hand for the tag, Sherri ran around the ring and grabbed his ankle. Jones pulled her up onto the ring apron and look ready to blast her with a head butt! Morrell went to break up the fracas. Meanwhile, Rose grabbed the purse again and blasted Koko with it a second time. He threw the purse out of the ring, then went after Jones to save Sherri. Doring recovered and came off with another Danaconda onto Ware, then made the cover to score the pin. ****¼

3) Argentinian sensation Antonino Rocca defeated Buff Bagwell by submission. Bagwell had control early on, after Rocca was pushed off the top rope by Capt. Lou Albano and landed hard on his head, while Paul Neighbors was focused on Bagwell. Bagwell hit a swinging neckbreaker, but only got a two-count. Rocca was on the arena floor and the Capt. charged at him, but got blasted with Rocca’s lightning fast feet! Rocca nailed Bagwell with some foot slaps from the floor, when Bagwell reached through the ropes. Rocca came off the top rope with a flying body press, but only got a two-count. He sent Bagwell into the turnbuckle and then caught him in his Argentinian Backbreaker to get the submission win. ***

4) Frank Gotch got a win out of nowhere on Sabu. These two last met in January in the main event at the Tupelo Sports Arena, when Gotch defeated Sabu by DQ in a wild bout to retain the Southern title. Gotch was definitely looking to get back on track after losing that championship to Killer Kowalski a few weeks ago. It looked though as if Sabu would come out on top. He used his Arabian facebuster early on, while Abdullah Farouk distracted Frank Morrell, then followed up with a slingshot leg drop for a near fall. Sabu applied the Camel Clutch and punched away to Gotch to bust him open. Sabu whipped Gotch into the ropes, but Gotch rebounded with a single leg takedown. He held the Bombay madman down and quickly applied the Gotch toehold. Sabu was in the center of he ring and quickly tapped out. An awesome victory by the Team RPW member! **½

5) One-half of the World Tag Team champions “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton got a big win in singles over The Masked Superstar. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan interrupted Gary Michael Cappetta’s introduction of The Superstar to inform him that he (Heenan) wishes to be announced as the “Uncrowned USWA World Tag Team champion”. Heenan motioned to Eaton, saying he wants his belt, as a result of Heenan’s pin on Eaton on the last card in the six-man tag team match. This bout was back-and-forth and full of action. Superstar applied the Cobra Hold early on, and then followed up with two spinning neckbreakers, targeting Eaton’s neck (which was broken last summer by a Mad Dog Vachon piledriver on a chair). Eaton kicked out and held strong. Eaton recovered after a brawl on the floor and blasted Superstar with a right hand. He hit three Alabama Jams, but couldn’t keep Superstar down. Eaton came off the top with a splash, in almost a solo Rocket Launcher, but Superstar rolled out of the way and Eaton smacked first-first into the mat, which also drew some blood. Superstar went for a cover, but Eaton kicked out. After another brawl, Eaton was choking Superstar on the ropes, when Jerry Calhoun warned him about it. While Eaton discussed things with Calhoun, Jim Cornette blasted Superstar in the head with the tennis racket! Eaton went for a cover, but Superstar still kicked out. Yet the masked man’s mask had blood coming out of it as well. Heenan chased Cornette around the ring for his interference, but meanwhile “Beautiful” Bobby came off with another Alabama Jam and this time got the win. Heenan turned around to see that his charge had lost and complained. He turned to Cornette again, but got clocked with the racket as well! ****

6) In a heated tag team battle, Yukon Eric and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka got the win over new Southern Heavyweight champion Killer Kowalski and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Valentine was coming off a big win over Rikidozan and had momentum as well. But the fan favorites were very focused in this match. Snuka hit Kowalski with a big flying head butt and went for a cover, but Capt. Lou Albano distracted Paul Neighbors. Snuka and Eric worked over Kowalski’s still injured and bandaged ribs. Snuka hit a Superfly Leap, but Kowalski kicked out. Eric applied a bear hug, then his Kodiak Krunch, but Albano again got involved, pulling Kowalski’s leg over the top rope, causing Eric to break. Eric worked over “The Hammer”, then tagged out to Snuka. Snuka missed a Superfly Leap. Valentine made a cover, but only got two. He applied the figure-four leglock, yet the “Superfly” made the ropes. The Southern champ tagged back in and worked over Snuka. Snuka fought back and hit a piledriver. He made a cover and got the pinfall seemingly out of nowhere. Snuka and Eric won the match, but the war wasn’t over. Valentine ran into the ring and knocked Eric out of the ring, before he could celebrate his team’s victory. “The Hammer” then attacked Snuka, stomping away on his midsection and dropping knees across it as well. This was all a set-up for his partner, as Albano revived Kowalski. The champ applied a stomach claw to Snuka for several minutes. Eric finally recovered and cleared the ring, wielding his ax-handle. But the damage was done, as Snuka was bleeding from the mouth. It was determined that the “Superfly” had suffered internal injuries and will miss about a month of action. ****

7) In another heated feud match, The Sheik scored a controversial pinfall over Bobo Brazil. Brazil started off fired up, wailing away on the Syrian madman and looking like he’d gain his second victory over his rival. After a brawl outside the ring, Sheik took over. He applied the Camel Clutch and later used his sharp object, but couldn’t keep Brazil down. With Abdullah Farouk distracting Jerry Calhoun, Sheik turned to another of his “specialties”—the fireball. He unleashed a huge one on Brazil. The flame kept Brazil down for the three-count after. The match only last a few minutes, but was full of action. **½

8) Rikidozan avenged his loss to Rick Rude on Card #161 with an impressive victory. The Japanese superstar was focused and determined here. He worked over the “Ravishing One” with his hiplock and several thunderous chops, centered on Rude’s torn pec, which Rikidozan himself tore with those chops. After Rikidozan came off the second turnbuckle with a chop, Rude was busted open. He came back and focused on Rikidozan’s neck. He hit the Rude Awakening and it looked like it was over, but Rikidozan kicked out. Rude came off the top rope with a double sledge, but Rikidozan side stepped it and blasted Rude with a chop to the chest while he was in mid-air. Rikidozan attempted a pin, but only got two. Rude was bleeding big time and Frank Morrell checked the cut to ensure Rude could continue. To Rude’s credit, he fought hard and Bobby Heenan checked on his cut as well. Rikidozan hit another hiplock, but Heenan got up on the apron. Just a quickly, Heenan went back down, as the former USWA World champ blasted him with a chop. Rikidozan nailed Rude again with more thunderous chops. After losing a ton of blood and getting his injured pectoral hit, Rude was easy prey for a pinfall. ***¾

9) Danny Hodge brought gold back to Team RPW, as he defeated Brutus Beefcake to win the USWA Texas championship. The San Antonio fans were more in favor of Hodge, despite him (and coach Dick Hutton) hailing from Oklahoma. They couldn’t deny that Hodge definitely outwrestled Beefcake on this occasion. He hit the Oklahoma side roll, but Capt. Lou Albano jumped up on the apron. Hodge let go of the hold and chased Albano down. When he turned around he was met by Beefcake’s flying knee smash. The champ strutted at his move, but took too much in going for the actual pin, as Hodge kicked out at two. Hodge came back and got Beefcake down on the mat. He turned him into a Boston Crab and got Beefcake to tap out. Frank Gotch and Dan Severn (who was backstage and sported several stitches from his last match with The Sheik) came down to celebrate the championship win with Hodge and Hutton. **¼

10) USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis put the title on the line in the main event against the man who collected the bounty on him—The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan accompanied Destroyer to the ring for this title match. The two exchanged great mat wrestling holds for the first ten minutes of the bout. Destroyer focused on the leg, to little surprise. But Lewis was ready. As Destroyer attempted a single leg Boston Crab at one point, Lewis rolled out of the hold and applied a single leg Crab of his own! The crowd popped big a seeing Lewis use one of Destroyer’s holds. The masked man quickly got to the ropes. Lewis used some amateur style cradles for a near fall, but couldn’t successfully apply the Strangler’s Headlock. Destroyer went to a different submission—his Intelligent Sleeperhold. Lewis looked like he was going out, but when Jerry Calhoun checked his arm, Lewis’ arm bounced back. Destroyer pulled Lewis into the center of the ring and applied the figure-four leglock. Lewis was definitely in pain, but rolled into the ropes. Destroyer didn’t release at first, but then the “Strangler” continued rolling and both men fell out of the ring and to the arena floor. Lewis got to his feet first, but Heenan came around the ring to attempt an ambush, but the champ saw him coming. “The Brain” retreated before the champ could catch him. With Lewis’ attention diverted, Destroyer clipped his knee from behind. He then picked Lewis up and dropped him in a kneebreaker-type move, but across the guard railing, rather then his own knee. Lewis was in pain. The masked man rolled back into the ring at the count of eight, while the champ was still hurt on the floor. Lewis couldn’t get back in and The Destroyer got the win via countout. Although he didn’t win the title, Destroyer and Heenan were very happy that he beat the champ and it appeared they may have done more damage to Lewis’ knee. **¾