Cory's USWA Fed

[Cory Olson]

Card #110 Municipal Auditorium: Nashville

1) Giant Baba and The Destroyer defeated Danny Doring and Cousin Luke. "Dastardly" Danny got in the ring more than usual, but didn't help his team too much! Destroyer picked up the win pinning Luke after a piledriver. Baba and Destroyer, who had a reign last year as World Tag champs will receive a shot at the Road Warriors on the next card. *3/4

2) The Sheik and Sabu ended Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones's two-match winning streak. Abdullah Farouk's sadistic duo kept "The Birdman" in the ring the entire match. The Sheik made Ware submit to a camel clutch. DUD

3) In a rematch from the last card, Bob Orton, Sr. made short work of The Sandman. Sandman now has Singapore Cane back in his possession, but he didn't get a chance to use it here. Orton scored the pinfall after a piledrvier. DUD

4) The Vachons scored the biggest USWA win to date, defeating former World Tag Team champions Red Bastien and Bobo Brazil. Bastien and Brazil gave Capt. Lou's team their biggest challenge so far in the USWA, scoring nearfalls on Butcher. But Mad Dog came to the aid of his brother and scored the pinfall on Red after delivering his piledriver, which has led the Algerian brothers to victory in all their matches so far. ***1/4

5) Gorgeous George pinned Dick Hutton. The Nashville fans booed "The Human Orchid" after his attack on "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. Hutton started off strong on George, but the former Southern Heavyweight champ regained control. He picked up the 1-2-3 after a flying body press off the top rope. *3/4

6) Bruiser Brody avenged his loss from Card #107 in Knoxville, defeating "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. DiBiase locked on his Million Dollar Dream on the New Mexican madman, but Brody managed to break free. Brody came back and smashed DiBiase with his jumping knee drop and covered him to score the win. It was announced on WMC-TV that Brody will receive his first USWA title shot, challenging Frank Gotch at the end of month for the USWA Southern Heavyweight title on Card #112. ***1/2

7) Chris Candido scored somewhat of an upset, pinning "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka clean. Snuka started off strong against the blonde bombshell, wanting revenge for Candido and Gorgeous George's attack on his tag partner Buddy Rogers. He nailed several Superfly Leaps, but Candido was able to kick out or get his foot on the ropes. Snuka busted Candido open after a flying head butt. Candido made a comeback with a distraction from Tammy Sytch. He pulled "Superfly" up to the top turnbuckle and was able to execute his Blonde Bomb successfully. He covered Snuka and scored the pin. ***1/4

8) Harley Race took on Heenan Family member the Masked Superstar. This wasn exciting back-and-forth match. Race went for a pliedriver mid-way through the match, but Bobby "The Brain" Heenan got up on the ring apron and distracted Race. Race hit the piledriver successfully later on, which caused Superstar to bleed through his mask. Race went for a cover, but again Heenan got up on the ring apron. Unbeknownst to Race and referee Kevin Christian, "The Brain" tossed a foreign object into the ring. Superstar grabbed the object and placed it into his mask, but continued to lay on the mat. Race returned his attention to Superstar, went up to the second rope and came off with his diving head butt. However, the move hurt him more than Superstar due to the loaded mask. Superstar went for a cover, but Race kicked out. Superstar delivered a loaded head butt and went for another cover, but somehow Race managed to survive. Race looked wobbly from the loaded mask shots, but managed to fight back and punched away at the Superstar. He dug into his bloody mask and was able to knock the object out. He grabbed it and threw it into the crowd! Race then slammed Superstar to the mat and went up to the second rope. He came off with another diving head butt and made the cover to pick up the win in an exciting match! ****

9) Jim Cornette's duo of "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton and Texas champion Justin Credible picked up a huge non-title win over World Tag Team champions The Road Warriors in what turned out to be a controversial tag match! The Legion of Doom started off looking dominant against Eaton, making several nearfalls on him. At one point, all four men started going at it in and out of the ring. Out of nowhere a man ran out of the crowd and attacked "Precious" Paul Ellering from behind. He then proceeded to ram Animal's back into the ringpost. It was realized that this man was "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey, who was previously completing in the Continental Wrestling Federation. Condrey tossed Animal back into the ring, where Eaton tagged into Credible. With referee Paul Morton distracted by the confusion at ringside, Credible brought his Singapore Cane into the ring and smacked Animal across the back with it twice. He covered Animal and Morton turned around to count the three-count, giving the Road Warriors only their third pinfall loss of the year. After the bell, Hawk grabbed Credible and picked him up into a choke hold. Condrey ran in, grabbed Credible's cane and smacked Hawk in the back with it. Condrey and Credible picked up Animal and held him throat-first across the top rope, while Eaton stood on the apron and grabbed him by the neck. Cornette came in and smacked Animal with his tennis racket across his already hurt back! Condrey then smashed Animal with the racket as well. He picked up Animal into an over-the-shoulder backbreaker, while Eaton came off the ropes with a big elbow smash! Obviously the "Loverboy" is Eaton's new Midnight Express partner, as Cornette and his men all stood together, while the fans booed! It was later found out that Animal had suffered some minor back injuries in this attack. **1/2

10) The main event was a rematch for the USWA World Heavyweight championship between champion Nick Bockwinkel and Antonio Inoki. This was a great back-and-forth match with a controversial ending. Bockwinkel busted the Japanese superstar open midway through the match. Giant Baba came down to ringside to cheer on his teammate. Inoki started making a comeback and hit some enzuigiris, then locked on his octopus hold. It looked like the champ might submit, but Bobby Heenan again saved one of his men, distracting referee Jerry Calhoun. Bock came back and locked a bloody Inoki in a similar hold--the abdominal stretch. It looked like Inoki would go down, but out of nowhere he was able to hip toss the champ out of the hold. Due to the loss of blood, Inoki couldn't attack the champ right away. By this point, The Destroyer and Harley Race joined Baba at ringside to cheer on Inoki, but suddenly the Ortons and Masked Superstar came down and started brawling with the popular wrestlers. Inoki and Bock joined the brawl on the floor, as pandemonium broke out in Nashville! The champ crawled back into the ring. Inoki started going in after him, but "The Brain" grabbed Inoki's leg, without referee Calhoun seeing it. Calhoun counted Inoki out of the ring, giving Bockwinkel the win and his belt! The Nashville fans were not happy about this scene and started to litter the ring! The Heenan Family ran out of the arena, but with the World title still in hand! ****1/2

Card #111 will come from the Rupp Arena in Lexington. Here is what the fans will see!
*In what will surely be a wild tag team match, Red Bastien and Bobo Brazil will do battle with their rivals The Sheik and Sabu. These two met in Lousville back in September in a wild match that saw Sheik and Sabu get the win over the former World Tag Team champs in a ****1/2 match. Can Bobo and Red get a win over this maniacal duo, and will the Sheik finally be defeated?
*Texas champ Justin Credible will take on his rival The Sandman in a non-title match. Sandman has his cane back now, can he gain a much needed win?
*Harley Race will take on another Heenan Family member, Bob Orton, Sr. "The Brain" is bent on putting Race out of the USWA and keeping him away from World champ Nick Bockwinkel. Can "The Big O." put down Race with his own version of the piledriver?
*Gorgeous George and Chris Candido will take on "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka and a dreaded mystery partner! Snuka has said he has found someone to help him take on George and Candido, while Buddy Rogers recovers from injury. Who could it be?
*George Hackenschmidt returns from injury and will take on Southern Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch in a non-title, 2-out-of-3 Falls Match. "The Russian Lion" holds two victories over Gotch. Gotch stated on WMC-TV that he will beat Hackenschmidt twice in one night. This should be a classic wrestling match!
*The main event will feature two popular tag teams, as The Road Warriors will defend the World Tag Team titles against Giant Baba and The Destroyer! Animal will be in action, despite his back injury from the new Midnight Express and Justin Credible. Will this affect him?
All this plus, Masked Superstar, Bob Orton, Jr., "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and more in action!

[Cory Olson]

Card #111: Rupp Arena in Lexington

1) Koko B. Ware defeated Danny Doring in the opener. Cousin Luke accompanied his tag partner to ringside. He got up on the ring apron to try and cause a distraction for Doring, but Koko pushed Doring into Luke, who collided with the hillbilly’s “lucky” horseshoe. “The Birdman” nailed Doring with a cross body block and picked up a quick win. Doring recovered and yelled at Luke for his backfired help. He went to clothesline Ware after the bell, but Koko ducked and nailed Doring with a boot to the stomach. He then nailed Doring with his Ghostbuster. Doring suffered a concussion from this and probably from Luke’s horseshoe and will be out of action a few weeks. ¼*

2) Bob Orton, Jr. scored a quick win over S.D. Jones. The “Cowboy” scored the pinfall after a superplex. DUD

3) Masked Superstar pinned Greg Valentine. “The Hammer” had some good offense on the masked man, applying his figure-four leglock at one point, but Superstar got to the ropes. Superstar took over after a brawl outside the ring and scored the pin after a spinning neckbreaker. **3/4

4) Dick Hutton scored a big win, defeating his former tag team partner “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. These former World Tag Team champions broke up last year and have been feuding throughout this year, along with respective teammates Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt, as well as DiBiase’s bodyguard Virgil. While Gotch and Hutton have been more successful in tag encounters with DiBiase and Virgil, DiBiase has had more success in one-on-one meetings with Hutton. Hutton has struggled this year overall in singles, due to a recurring back injury, but tonight was on fire. He worked over the former Southern champ, outwrestling him. He locked the “Million Dollar Man” in the abdominal stretch, but DiBiase managed to reach the ropes. Hutton smashed DiBiase with a stiff forearm uppercut, covered him, and scored the three-count. The Lexington crowd erupted for Hutton’s big win! **1/2

5) Red Bastien and Bobo Brazil took on rivals the Sheik and Sabu. Former USWA Tag champs Bastien and Bobo started off well against Abdullah Farouk’s devious duo. Bobo covered the unbeaten Sheik after a body slam, but couldn’t keep him down long. Sheik made a comeback and tagged in his nephew. Farouk distracted referee Frank Morrell, which allowed Sabu to bring a steel chair into the ring. Sabu smacked Brazil across the face with it once, then delivered his illegal Arabian facebuster. The Bombay madman nailed another facebuster, but Morrell turned around in time to see it and called for the bell. It didn’t matter to Sheik and Sabu, as Sheik charged Bastien and jabbed him with his sharp object. Sabu grabbed a table from ringside and brought it into the ring. He set it up and then placed Brazil on it. Sheik held him down and drove his sharp object into Brazil’s already bloody face. Sabu set up a chair, bounced off the ropes, springboarded off the chair to the top rope and came back with his triple jump moonsault, driving Bobo through the table! Farouk celebrated his men’s destruction. Bastien climbed back in and helped Bobo to the back. Bobo suffered broken ribs from the ambush and will be out of action for at least the rest of the year. ** (NOTE: This was one of the few times I’ve ever done a table breaking angle in the USWA.)

6) The Sandman scored his first pinfall victory over the year, defeating Texas champ Justin Credible in a non-title match. Credible jumped the Sandman as he came out of the crowd, for his typical long ring entrance. He pounded away on Sandman, not letting up on him. Credible took advantage of a distraction from Jim Cornette to his Singapore Cane on Sandman twice, which busted him open, but couldn’t keep him down for a three-count. Credible dropped Sandman with That’s Incredible, but still couldn’t keep Sandman down. Cornette got on the apron again, but suddenly “Precious” Paul Ellering came down and pulled Cornette off the apron. While referee Kevin Christian had his attention turned to the managers scuffling on the floor, he didn’t see Hawk come down to ringside as well. Credible had grabbed his cane again to smash Sandman a third time, but turned around to see Hawk on the apron. He charged the Road Warrior, but was nailed with a big running clothesline, smash Credible for his help in injuring Hawk’s partner! Hawk quickly pulled the bloodied and beaten Sandman on top of Credible and bailed out of the ring. Christian turned around to make the three-count and raise Sandman’s hand in victory! Sandman himself seemed surprised by the win, after the beating he took! ¾*

7) In a physically brutal match, Harley Race gained a win over another Heenan Family member, this time, Bob Orton, Sr. “The Big O.” was able to kick out of two of Race’s piledrivers early on. Orton executed a piledriver of his own, but Race kicked out as well. Both men were busted open and were going back-and-forth in an exciting match. Race slammed the elder Orton down to the mat and went up to the second turnbuckle. He came off with a diving head butt and covered Orton to score the pinfall for the second card in a row with that maneuver! This was an awesome match that had fans on their feet. They erupted at seeing Race victorious. Will this earn Race another shot at Nick Bockwinkel’s USWA World Heavyweight championship in the near future? *****

8) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka said he had a mystery partner to battle Gorgeous George and Chris Candido. His partner turned out to be…BRUISER BRODY! Brody has had his problems with George and Candido this year. One of Brody’s few losses this year in the USWA was at the hands of George and his spinning toe hold in August. Brody and the “Superfly” worked well together as a team. They executed a big spike piledriver on Candido at one point in the match. Brody smashed the “Human Orchid” with a big boot the face, which sent George out of the ring. Candido, along with Cherie Dupré and Tammy Sytch, attended the falling George. Rather than try to help him back in the ring, the group decided to walk away and fight another day, getting themselves counted out and giving Snuka and Brody the victory! ½*

9) In what turned out to be the greatest match so far in USWA history, Southern champ Frank Gotch did what he said he would do—defeat his rival George Hackenschimdt twice in one night. “The Russian Lion” was returning from an ankle injury, caused by the Gotch Toehold and was hoping to gain another win over the Southern champ. This two-out-of-three falls non-title match was a brutal, bloody classic! These two showed how familiar they are with one another, always seeming to have a counter for one another’s holds. The first fall looked like it was going to end early, as Gotch attempted an Iowa backdrop, but Hackenschmidt reversed the hold and sent Gotch over the top rope to the arena floor. Gotch landed hard and it was feared he may have reinjured his neck, which Ted DiBiase injured back in July. Gotch managed to crawl back in the ring by the count of nine. Hackenschmidt ended up scoring a submission in the first fall with his Russian Bear Hug. Dick Hutton came down to ringside during the second fall to encourage his ally Gotch. Gotch recovered in the second fall and was able to apply his rolling knee bar on “The Russian Lion.” This was used to set up Hackenschmidt for the Gotch Toehold. It looked like the strongman was about to tap, when Virgil got up on the ring apron, distracting referee Paul Morton. Hack actually did tap, but Morton missed it, making the second time that Virgil’s distraction had kept Gotch from beating his rival with the toehold. Both men were bloodied during this fall. Gotch showed his boxing skills, by punching away on Hackenschmidt. Hackenschmidt collapsed and Gotch covered him to score a pin and take Fall 2. Fall 3 looked like it could be either man’s match. The Southern champ was able to apply the rolling knee bar again on the powerhouse. But Hackenschmidt managed to regain control. “The Russian Lion” back Gotch into a corner and went to shoot in a takedown, but Gotch managed to sidestep him, causing the bloody Hack to hit the turnbuckle hard. Gotch rolled him into a ¾ nelson, rolling Hackenschmidt’s shoulders to the mat. Referee Morton counted Hack’s shoulders down 1-2-3, giving Gotch the hard fought victory! Gotch and Hutton celebrated while Virgil threw a fit over his man’s loss. The Lexington fans cheered, not only Gotch’s victory, but the amazing match they had just witnessed. *****+ (NOTE: Wow! What a match. Gotch had 7 fatigue tokens on him at the end, while Hack had 9! This was just unreal! This was the first time I’ve given a USWA match the five-plus rating. I had a few GWF matches in the past that I gave this rating to. I pictured this being more like a competitive UFC/Pride fight than a standard pro wrestling match.)

10) Despite Animal’s back injury, the Road Warriors managed to successfully defend their USWA World Tag Team championship against former champions Giant Baba and The Destroyer. Hawk stayed in the ring the first few minutes of the match, to keep his injured partner out of action for too long. Animal, who sported a back brace, did make his way into the ring. Both popular duos looked like they could score the victory at any minute in this one. Baba nailed his dreaded neckbreaker drop (couldn’t resist, Tim!), but Animal managed to kick out. Hawk mounted some offense on the “Intelligent, Sensational One” and tagged Animal back in. The Legion of Doom nailed the masked man with a double clothesline and Animal covered him to score the three-count. Both teams shook hands following the match in a show of respect and sportsmanship. ***

The USWA will return to Freedom Hall in Johnson City, TN for Card #112!
*Red Bastien will do battle with Sabu! These two high flyers have met many times before, but their feud has gotten even more intense, after Sabu and Sheik put Bobo Brazil out of action.
*In a non-title battle of two champions, one-half of the World Tag Team champions, Hawk, will face Texas champion Justin Credible. Credible helped injured Animal, while Hawk cost Credible a match against the Sandman. Who will get revenge in this one?
*In a preview of the main event for Card #113, Giant Baba and The Destroyer will take on Bob Orton, Sr. and Jr. The USWA Committee announced that in December on Card #113, the first ever eight-man tag team elimination match will take place in the USWA pitting Baba, Destroyer, Antonio Inoki, and Harley Race against the four members of the Heenan Family! Bobby Heenan could have some momentum going into that big match with a win in Johnson City, but the Ortons have struggled so far. Who will win this tag war?
*The main event will be a unique clash of two popular wrestlers, as Frank Gotch, straight off his classic war with George Hackenschmidt will defend the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship against Bruiser Brody! We have two fan favorites here, but with very different styles! Will Gotch’s mat wrestling help him hold on to the gold or will Brody’s roughhouse, brawling skills earn him his first USWA title? And who will the fans side with?
All this plus Harley Race, the Vachons, and the in-ring debut of Jim Cornette’s new Midnight Express—“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton!

[Cory Olson]

Card #112: Freedom Hall—Johnson City, TN

1) The new version of the Midnight Express (“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton) won their first match together in the USWA, making short work of Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones. Jim Cornette’s latest use of his mama’s money may have been a wise choice, as Eaton and Condrey kept “The Birdman” in the ring the entire match. Condrey wasn’t in the ring very long, but did toss Eaton onto Ware with the Rocket Launcher, which led to the Express picking up the victory. DUD

2) The Sheik remained undefeated, pinning Brutus Beefcake. Beefcake actually started off with some offense on the Syrian madman, but that didn’t last long. While Abdullah Farouk distracted referee Frank Morrell, Sheik pulled out his sharp object and used it to jab the San Francisco native. Sheik pounded away on Brutus and while Farouk provided another distraction, Sheik proceeded to let loose with a huge fireball to Beefcake! Sheik covered Brutus for an easy three-count. ¼*

3) The Vachons continued their winning streak as well, defeating another rulebreaking team, Gorgeous George and Chris Candido. Capt. Lou Albano’s team started off with a vicious attack on Candido and looked like they would end the match quickly. Butcher had Candido up in a hangman, but George saved his partner before he could submit. “The Human Orchid” finally tagged in and went to work on Mad Dog. He applied his spinning toe hold and looked like he would make the Mad Dog give in, but Butcher ran in and raked George’s eyes. Mad Dog went for a cover, but only got a two count. Candido came back in, but Mad Dog regained control. He hit his piledriver, which has gained the Vachons all their victories so far in the USWA, but Candido kicked out at 2 ¾. Butcher tagged in and gave Candido a big backbreaker. He went for a cover, but George again saved him. This time Mad Dog came in too and pounced on George, taking him out of the match. Butcher executed a second backbreaker on Candido, who was busted open by this point. He covered Candido and scored his first pinfall for the team. ***3/4

4) Masked Superstar scored a big win, defeating “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka by submission. This match seemed to be a battle of head butts, as both wrestlers nailed different versions throughout the match! Superstar went for a head butt in the corner early on, but Snuka ducked and Superstar hit the turnbuckle hard. Snuka went for a cover, but Superstar kicked out and rolled out of the ring. “Superfly” followed him and was momentarily distracted by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, allowing Superstar to attack from behind. He threw Snuka back in and applied his cobra hold, but Snuka managed to make the ropes. Superstar picked up the submission a few minutes later, but this time by putting the “Superfly” out with a traditional sleeper. **3/4

5) Antonio Inoki returned to action after his controversial countout loss to World champion Nick Bockwinkel on Card #110. The Japanese superstar showed great intensity, scoring a quick win over former Southern champion “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. DiBiase had some early offense, but Inoki took over and locked on a ground cobra twist. When DiBiase wouldn’t submit, Inoki released the hold, picked him up to his feet and nailed him with a big enzuigiri. DiBiase managed to kick out, but was put in Inoki’s octopus hold. DiBiase quickly submitted to the hold, giving Inoki a needed win. DUD

6) Harley Race scored a close win over Greg “The Hammer” Valentine in an exciting match. Race executed his piledriver early on, but Valentine managed to get his foot on the bottom rope. Valentine made a comeback and scored a nearfall after an elbow smash off the top rope to a standing Race. He whipped Race into the buckle and charged in, but Race moved out of the way, went behind Valentine and executed a rolling cradle for a nearfall. “The Hammer” came back again and applied the figure-four leglock. Race looked close to submitting, but suddenly reverse the leglock! Valentine managed to make the ropes. Race executed suplex after suplex on Valentine and eventually busted him open. He gave “The Hammer” another piledriver and covered him, this time keeping him down for the three. Race had an awesome month, winning matches that were ranked **** or more! This one was ****1/2

7) Sabu beat Red Bastien by disqualification…yes, you read that right! Bastien was looking for some revenge on Sabu, after he and his uncle, the Sheik, put Red’s tag team partner Bobo Brazil out of action with broken ribs for the rest of this year. This match started off with some clean, fast-paced action. Sabu whipped Bastien into the ropes and bent over for a back body drop, but Red came back with a sunset flip, to put down Sabu for a two-count. Bastien came off the top ropes with a flying body press, but again only got a two. Sabu tried to bail out of the ring, with Abdullah Farouk pulling on him, but Bastien grabbed his legs and pulled him back into the ring. He started punching away at Sabu and began to choke him. Referee Kevin Christian started to warn Red about this illegal choke, but Red wouldn’t listen. Christian gave him a five-count, but Bastien still wouldn’t release, leaving Christian no choice but to disqualify him. This is Bastien’s second DQ loss in as many months. He’s showing his aggressive side! **

8) World Tag Team champion Hawk defeated Texas champion Justin Credible in a non-title match. Hawk started off very aggressively against Credible, wanting revenge for Credible aiding the Midnight Express in injuring Animal. He came off the top rope several times with flying clotheslines, but couldn’t score the pinfall. Credible capitalized on a missed dropkick by Hawk and executed a short power bomb, but only got a two-count. He executed two That’s Incredibles on the Road Warrior, but again, Hawk wouldn’t stay down. Jim Cornette distracted referee Frank Morrell while Credible attempted to hit Hawk with his Singapore Cane, but Paul Ellering pointed it out to the official before Credible could use it. After a brawl outside the ring, Hawk took over and executed a vertical suplex on the Texas champ, but only got a two-count. Justin was bleeding by this point. Hawk tossed him with a gut wrench suplex and covered him, but Justin barely managed to kick out. He came off the top with another flying clothesline, but again Justin got out at 2 ¾. Hawk hit another flying clothesline a minute later to finally put down the bloody Texas champ for a three-count, in what turned out to be a surprisingly great match. ****

9) Bobby Heenan’s team of the Ortons hoped to gain their first tag win over their rivals Giant Baba and the Destroyer. They looked very close to doing so in this match, but Baba and Destroyer somehow came back to win in an awesome match! This was a back-and-forth tag match that went nearly 30 minutes! The father-son duo showed their most impressive teamwork to date, tagging in and out frequently and executing several double team maneuvers. In a great display of strength, the “Cowboy” executed a superplex on Baba, but Destroyer saved his partner from defeat. “The Big O.” busted the Japanese giant open after some stiff stomps to the body and face. Destroyer tagged back in and locked Orton, Jr. in an intelligent sleeper. The “Cowboy” looked to be going down, but his father jumped in and smashed the “Intelligent, Sensational One” over the back of the head. Orton, Jr. went to apply a stepover toehold, but Destroyer kicked him off. Orton charged in at the masked man, but Destroyer caught him with a punch to the stomach. He then picked up Orton, Jr. in a sensational suplex and dropped him down. He covered him and scored the pinfall, seemingly out of nowhere. Even in losing, the Ortons showed that they could be a force to be reckoned with in the USWA tag world. *****

10) Frank Gotch retained the Southern Heavyweight championship in the main event, making Bruiser Brody submit. The Johnson City crowd was split between the two wrestlers, although Brody may have had a few more cheers, since the fans wanted to see a historic title change. The match started slowly, as neither combatant wanted to make a mistake, but the action quickly picked up. Brody slammed Gotch down with a twisting vertical suplex early on and followed up with his jumping knee drop, but Gotch kicked out. Brody smashed the champ with a big boot to the face, which knocked Gotch out of the ring, causing him to land hard. Gotch almost got counted out, as he did in his defense against the Sheik, but managed to roll back in the ring by the count of nine. The champ made a comeback and was able to take the New Mexican madman down and attempt his patented toehold, but Brody kicked Gotch off before he could fully apply the hold. Gotch was able to lock on a rolling knee bar, trying to wear down Brody’s leg for the toehold. Brody fought back and executed another knee drop, but again Gotch kicked out. Brody charged in at Gotch in the corner with another boot to the face, but Gotch ducked and Brody kicked the turnbuckle hard. Gotch locked Brody in a guillotine choke. It looked like Brody would make the ropes, but Gotch was able to position him away from the ropes and squeezed the choke tighter, giving Brody no other choice but to tap out. The Johnson City crowd was somewhat surprised by the sudden submission, but applauded both wrestlers afterwards. ***3/4

The USWA will kick off the month of December in their homebase of Memphis, TN and the Mid-South Coliseum! This will be the first of three cards before the annual New Year’s Knockout on December 31 in Louisville. Here is what the Memphis faithful will see on Card #113!
*In separate singles matches, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody will take on Gorgeous George and Chris Candido respectively. George and Candido bailed out during their tag match on Card #111. What will happen in one-on-one action?
*Two old rivals will hook up as the Sandman will tangle with Sabu. Sandman will receive a shot at the Texas title when he face Justin Credible in the main event on Card #114, but will first have to take on the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal Sabu. This is sure to be a wild brawl. Will Sabu affect Sandman’s chances at the Texas gold?
*In an interesting tag team match, Southern Heavyweight champ Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton will take on the undefeated Vachon Brothers. Although Gotch and Hutton haven’t teamed up often, they have not been beaten yet. The Vachons will challenge for the World Tag Team titles on Card #114, but can their vicious tactics stop the scientific duo of Gotch and Hutton?
*And the huge main event will be the first ever eight-man tag team elimination match in USWA history. On one side, you have the Heenan Family captained by USWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel, along with the Masked Superstar and the Ortons. On the other side, you have captain Harley Race, together with Antonio Inoki, Giant Baba, and the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer. There are so many interesting scenarios in this match! Both Inoki and Race are setting their sights on champ Bockwinkel as both men want another shot at his gold. The Ortons would love to eliminate Baba and Destroyer to finally get a win over them, not to mention the “Cowboy’s” history with the Destroyer. Inoki was the first man to pin Superstar in the USWA. Plus you have the possibility of two masked men tangling, with Destroyer and Superstar. All eight of these men brawled at ringside during the Inoki-Bockwinkel title match on Card #110. Who will survive this battle?
All this plus “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, the World Tag Team champions the Road Warriors, the Midnight Express, and more in action!

[Chad Olson]

Good show brother! Can't wait to see the big 8 man tag on the next card!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks brother! You may literally get to see it next week during our Olson Brothers Thanksgiving madness!

[stephenvegas]

Cory,

I really enjoy reading your fed results!

On your last card, there were like 5 great matches and I especially liked reading about Race's victory over Greg Valentine, Hawk's victory over Justin Credible and Giant Baba and the Destroyer's victory over the Ortons.

Also, New Year's Knockout is a cool name for a PPV!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks for the comments, Mr. Vegas! The last couple cards have had some awesome matches. It's been great playing them! I was kind of hoping Credible would win, since he's more of the singles wrestler and will have his big Texas title defense against Sandman in December, but I was okay with Hawk winning too. The Ortons have had great matches, but just can't win. I'm hoping they start winning at some point, as I'd like to push them towards a tag title shot in 2007. I was surprised by Valentine's competitveness against Race, he's been only so-so for me in singles.

New Year's Knockout was kind of a combination of two names. First was the Clash of the Champions "New York Knockout" where Ric Flair fought Terry Funk in the "I Quit Match" (Tim Dalton attended this show). The other was New Year's Nightmare, which was my brother's annual supercard in his CWA fed (basically the CPC before the CPC--long story!) I wanted to have the last big card be on New Year's Eve and wanted to somehow incorporate that into the name. I like the name as well.

And technically, it's not a PPV, just a supercard. This is old school! I picture it being broadcast on live TV, similar to how Japan has had MMA events on New Year's Eve on TV the last few years.

[Cory Olson]

The USWA kicked off the month of December with a big show from its homebase in Memphis, TN and the Mid-South Coliseum! Card #113 began the road to New Year’s Knockout III!

1) The Sheik made Cousin Luke submit. Abdullah Farouk has been complaining on WMC-TV that the Syrian madman has not received another shot at the USWA Southern Heavyweight title, even though he is still undefeated and holds a countout victory over current champ Frank Gotch. Farouk claims that the USWA Committee is scared of his man holding the belt, especially after he and Sabu put the first Southern champ, Bobo Brazil, out of action. Sheik started off in typical fashion working over the hillbilly wrestler, attempting his camel clutch early. Luke managed to take over and locked the Sheik in a bear hug, but Sheik made the ropes. Luke knocked Sheik down and came off the second turnbuckle with a big splash, but only managed a two-count. While Farouk distracted referee Frank Morrell, Sheik rolled out of the ring. The gullible Luke followed, but was met with a chair shot to the back by the Sheik. Sheik tossed him back in and again applied the camel clutch, this time pulling out his sharp object and poking Luke with it while applying the hold. He used the object more to open up Luke. He continued pounding on Luke, until again applying the camel clutch. Luke finally had to concede to the hold, giving Sheik another win. **1/2

2) The Midnight Express defeated The Dream Team. “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey started off against Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Valentine gained the early advantage, even applying his figure-four leglock in the opening minutes, but Condrey was able to make the ropes. Valentine tagged in to Brutus Beefcake, which was a mistake, as the Midnights kept him in the ring the rest of the match. They showed some new double-team maneuvers, including a move where Condrey suplexes the opponent onto Bobby Eaton’s knee, and another where the “Loverboy” whips the opponent into the ropes, then whips his own partner into the opponent and “Beautiful” Bobby nails the opponent with an elbow smash to the chest. Eaton went up to the top rope and came off with his Alabama Jam on Beefcake, but Brutus managed to kick out. He then tagged in Condrey and the duo executed what is known as the Midnight Massacre. This is the same move they used to injure Animal—where Condrey picks up the opponent into an over-the-shoulder backbreaker and Eaton jumps off the ropes with an elbow smash to the chest. Valentine tried to save his partner, but Eaton cut him off, while Condrey made the cover and scored the win. *3/4

3) World Tag Team champions the Road Warriors took on another popular duo, Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones in what turned out to be a surprisingly competitive non-title tag team match. Animal is still sporting a back brace, due to his injury courtesy of the Midnight Massacre. The champs started off with some great power offense on “The Birdman” and Special Delivery and looked on their way to a quick win. Yet somehow Koko and S.D. managed to comeback and maintained control over the Legion of Doom. They kept the weakened Animal in the ring for a long period of time. At one point, Animal back dropped Ware over the top rope, but then held his back from executing the move. “The Birdman” managed to grab the top rope and “skin the cat” back into the ring unharmed. He ran to the corner and came off the top rope with a flying body press, but collided heads with Animal, busting him open. Koko went for a cover, but only got a two-count. Animal managed to tag back into Hawk, who worked over S.D. The champs executed their Doomsday Device on Jones, but S.D. managed to get his foot on the bottom rope. The action was back-and-forth! At one point, Ware was able to pick up Animal and execute his Ghostbuster, but Hawk broke up the pin attempt. S.D. got busted open as well, and his partner later followed after Animal nailed him right in the face with a flying shoulder ram. Animal tagged back into Hawk and they executed another Doomsday Device on Koko. They were about to make the cover, when out of nowhere the Midnight Express ran into the ring and attacked them again! Referee Tom Branch immediately called for the bell. Jim Cornette nailed “Precious” Paul Ellering from behind with his tennis racket and Texas champ Justin Credible took out Ware and Jones with his Singapore Cane. The Midnights took off Animal’s back brace and stretched him out while Cornette nailed him with his tennis racket! Koko and Jones recovered and ran into the ring with chairs to run the foursome off! Ellering and Hawk recovered as well, and helped Animal to his feet. Ware and Jones shook hands with the champs and the five men walked back to the locker room together, helping Animal back. Animal suffered some aggravated his injury some, but will wrestle for the Warriors’ defense of the World Tag Team titles against the Vachons on the next card. Referee Branch ruled the match a disqualification win for the Warriors, since the Express attacked them first. ****3/4

4) “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase pinned Red Bastien. DiBiase had been in a bit of a losing streak lately. Early in this match, he charged at Bastien in the corner, but Bastien jumped up, caught him in a head scissors and sent him flying over the top rope to the arena floor. The former Southern Heavyweight champ was almost counted out of the ring, but climbed back up on the apron. As he prepared to get back into the ring, Red nailed him with a big dropkick sending him back to the floor! “The Million Dollar Man” was almost counted out a second time, but again beat Referee Kevin Christian’s 10-count. He came back and applied his Million Dollar Dream, but Bastien made the ropes. Bastien executed a perfect flying head scissors and covered DiBiase, but only got a two-count. DiBiase hit a power slam seemingly out of nowhere and scored the three-count to get a much needed win. This match only lasted a few minutes, but had some great action. **3/4

5) Bruiser Brody defeated Chris Candido. Brody looked like he would score the victory early as executed his jumping knee drop on the blonde bombshell, but pulled Candido up before the three-count to inflict more damage. This may have been a mistake, as Candido took over after a brawl outside the ring. He pulled Brody up to the top turnbuckle and was able to execute a modified version of his Blonde Bombshell on the New Mexican madman. He couldn’t Brody all the way up and actually dropped him on his head and neck in what looked to be a dangerous move. Candido couldn’t make the cover right away, due to the strain cause by lifting the larger Brody. He finally did make the cover, but Brody barely kicked out. Somehow Brody came back from this move and started pounding away on Candido. He came off the top rope with a clothesline and went for the cover, but Tammy Sytch distracted Referee Paul Morton. Brody scored the pinfall after dropping Candido on his head with a big piledriver. ***

6) Two old rivals faced each other as Sabu scored a countout win over the Sandman. Perhaps Sandman had one too many before the match as Sabu dominated the action here. He executed his triple jump moonsault, but much like what happened to Chris Candido in the previous match, hurt himself and couldn’t capitalize right away. Sandman was able to kick out at two. Sabu springboarded off a chair and nailed Sandman with a splash in the corner. As he executed this move, he smashed the brawler with a forearm shot, which drew blood on the Sandman. Sabu locked in the camel clutch and it looked like Sandman would give, but somehow he made the ropes. Sandman rolled out to the arena floor to try and gain a breather. While Sabu was being held back from attacking Sandman by Frank Morrell, Texas champ Justin Credible made his second appearance of the evening, jumping out of the crowd. He nailed the bloody Sandman with his Singapore Cane right across the head and then left as quickly as he appeared. Morrell turned around and saw Sandman knocked out on the floor and counted him out of the ring. DUD

7) In a definite styles clash, Southern Heavyweight champ Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton scored a disqualification victory over the Vachon Brothers. Capt. Lou Albano’s team will receive a shot at the World Tag Team titles on the next card. They looked determined to defeat the two mat grapplers here, as they used their brawling technics and frequent tags to work over both Gotch and Hutton. Gotch hit an Iowa backdrop out of nowhere on Mad Dog and tagged in to Hutton. Hutton started outwrestling Mad Dog, which caused Algerian native to bail out of the ring. He went wild at ringside, as Albano tried to calm his man down. He grabbed a chair from ringside, brought it into the ring and nailed Hutton across the back with it, leaving Tom Branch no choice to disqualify the Vachons. Gotch ran the brothers and Albano off before further damage could be done. ¼*

8) Gorgeous George scored a pinfall out of nowhere on rival “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. Snuka started off aggressively on the “Human Orchid”, executing two backbreakers on George. He continued to focus on the back, as he slammed George with a power slam. George managed to kick out. George bailed out of the ring after taking some chops to the chest from the “Superfly”. Snuka came out after him, but George surprised him with a low blow, while Cherie Dupre had distracted Paul Morton. The two returned to the ring where George picked up Snuka into an airplane spin. He dropped the “Superfly” and covered him to score a surprising three-count. The match was over, but the war wasn’t. Bruiser Brody ran down to ringside swinging his chain wildly. He ran into the ring and booted George right in the face. Brody then wrapped his chain around George’s neck and began to choke him. Snuka recovered and he and Brody executed a spike piledriver on George. Chris Candido along with Tammy Sytch came down to help their teammate, but the damage was done. Fans cheered as the treacherous George got a taste of his own medicine. George suffered injuries to his neck and back and will be out of action until early 2007. *

9) The main event was a huge match-up: the first ever eight-man tag team match in USWA history, fought under elimination rules. The Heenan Family captained by World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel, along with the Ortons and Masked Superstar took on captain Harley Race, Antonio Inoki, Giant Baba, and The Destroyer. “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. took a beating from the popular quartet in the first fall. His former partner in the Missouri Wrecking Crew, Race, executed two piledrivers on him. The “Cowboy” was saved first by his father, secondly by a distraction from Bobby Heenan. Race finally put down the younger Orton with a third piledriver. The elder Orton came in after his son’s elimination. After a few minutes Baba tagged in. He and Orton started brawling in a corner of the ring. The Japanese giant showed his angry side as he started choking “The Big O.”, not paying attention to referee Jerry Calhoun’s five-count. Calhoun had no choice but to disqualify Baba, eliminating the big man from the match. The next fall saw Masked Superstar in the ring for the majority of the time. He and the Destroyer tangled for the first time in the USWA. Inoki tagged in and nailed Superstar with an enzuigiri. Inoki went for a cover, but the masked man kicked out. The Japanese superstar applied a cross armbreaker on the Superstar, who rolled for the ropes, but both men tumbled to the arena floor. Inoki stomped away on Superstar’s face and arm, causing Superstar to bleed through his starred mask. Superstar was almost counted out of the ring, but managed to crawl back in. Captain Race came in and executed a piledriver on the masked man. He covered him and scored the pin to make the second elimination for his team. The two captains locked up for the first time in the match, going back-and-forth, as the Mid-South Coliseum was rocking! The champ maintained control and tagged back in to Orton, Sr. Orton nailed Race with his own piledriver, but Race kicked out. Race made a big comeback and again hit a piledriver, taking Orton out of the match. The crowd was going nuts, as Race had eliminated his third Heenan Family member. Bock came back into the match, cautiously after seeing Race “on fire” against his teammates. The two locked up and went back-and-forth for about two minutes. The champ whipped Race into the turnbuckle and charged in, but Race jumped with a boot, that nailed Bockwinkel hard in the shoulder. Race then picked up Bockwinkel and dropped him over his knee with a shoulder breaker. He floated over into a cover and pinned the World champ in the center of the ring as the Memphis fans erupted! Inoki and Destroyer joined their captain in the ring to celebrate! ***3/4

NOTE: I plan to have another post sometime tomorrow, including the first two matches announced for New Year’s Knockout III—including the main event and another big title match. (Any guesses on the main event?) I will also have a preview for Card #114, which will come from the world famous Sportatorium in Dallas!

[Cory Olson]

The day after Card #113, the first two matches for New Year’s Knockout III which will come from the Louisville Gardens on December 31 were announced on WMC-TV. The main event for this card will feature Nick Bockwinkel defending the USWA World Heavyweight championship against former Southern champion and the man who basically defeated the entire Heenan Family in one night—Harley Race! This match will be contested in a 60-Minute Iron Man Match! Whichever wrestler scores the most falls in one hour will be the World champion! Also to maintain order in such an important contest, the USWA Committee has assigned a special guest referee—Louisville’s own Ed “Strangler” Lewis! Lewis recently competed in CSW (Central States Wrestling) and is taking some time off from wrestling and living in his hometown. The Committee determined that both Race and Bockwinkel will be kept off the next two cards to train and prepare for such a grueling match.

The other match will be for the Southern Heavyweight championship. Champion Frank Gotch will defend against the man he won the title from—“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase! DiBiase gave Bill Apter an emotional interview on WMC-TV. He stated that based on recent losses he probably doesn’t deserve a rematch, so thus he has “bought” a title shot. He has drawn contracts that state that Gotch will win DiBiase’s vast fortune, should DiBiase not regain the title! The former champ said that since Gotch’s win over George Hackenschmidt in one of the greatest battles in USWA history (back on Card #111), he has had no contact with “The Russian Lion.” DiBiase claimed that if Hack does return to a USWA ring he will slap him right in the mouth. He ended by stating that everyone has a price, even himself.

Before that big event, the USWA will hold its last event in the Lone Star State for 2006, as they come back to the Sportatorium in Dallas!
*After their attack on the Road Warriors on the last card and interrupting a great tag match, the USWA Committee announced that the Midnight Express will once again take on “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware and “Special Delivery” Jones! Can Ware and Jones gain some revenge for the tag champs, as well as pull off a big win over “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis?
*Speaking of revenge, Red Bastien is looking for some, as he will do battle once again with the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu. Bastien was disqualified on Card #112 when these two locked up. Can he control his temper and defeat the Bombay madman?
*Before they meet in the “Southern title vs. Fortune” match, Frank Gotch and Ted DiBiase will hook up in tag action, as they team up with Dick Hutton and Virgil respectively. These four man have had wild tag matches already this year. Who will gain momentum going into NYK?
*”The Man of 1,000 Masks” Mil Mascaras will make an appearance as takes on former USWA World Heavyweight champ “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. The “Cowboy” has been in a bit of a slump lately. Can he pull of a big win over the exciting luchador?
*In the first of two huge title matches, the USWA World Tag Team champions the Road Warriors will defend against the Vachon Brothers! This will surely be a wild tag team affair. Capt. Lou’s team has yet to be pinned or to submit. Animal is still suffering from back injuries. Can the Algerian brothers take the belts from a wounded Legion of Doom?
*The main event will settle the score once and for all, as Justin Credible puts the USWA Texas championship on the line against his rival, the Sandman! The USWA Committee will let these two brawler put their talents to use, as this will be a Singapore Cane Match! Also, to end this feud, this will be a Loser-Leave-Town Match! The loser must leave the USWA for one year! Who will swing a better cane and walk out with the Texas gold, and who will be sent packing?
All this plus, the Sheik, Bruiser Brody, Antonio Inoki, and more in action!

[Chad Olson]

Good job brother! Can't wait to see the big battle between Bock and Race. I predict Bock hangs on to the gold in the Iron Man Match and Frank A. Gotch will win DiBiase's fortune. Maybe Gotch will invest in real estate in Humboldt with his new riches!

Credible over Sandman, Vachons defeat the Warriors, and Red over Sabu for the next show.

[Cory Olson]

isuchado said:

Frank A. Gotch will win DiBiase's fortune. Maybe Gotch will invest in real estate in Humboldt with his new riches!

Gotch has got big plans for the money, should he win it.

We'll have to see how your other predictions turn out.

[TDalton]

1. Midnight Express over S.D. & Koko.

2. Bastien by DQ over Sabu.

3. Gotch will retain the Southern Title, win DiBiase's fortune, then become "Nature Boy" Franklin Gotch. Woooo!

4. Mascaras will beat Orton.

5. Vachons beat Road Warriors due to interference by the Midnight Express. It's Dog Eat Dog!

6. Sandman beats Credible, but later has to vacate the Texas Title due to his DUI arrest after the post-match victory party.

[Cory Olson]

Don't give me any new ideas for Gotch angles!

I like that Sandman storyline. We'll see what happens.

[swarm]

Good stuff. Since I don't have time to run my own Legends fed I have to live vicariously through yours, Tim's and Chad's.

Always a good read.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks, Swarm!

By the way, I enjoy the Mr. Kennedy smiley face that moves back-and-forth in your messages.

[Cory Olson]

December 15: Card #114--Sportatorium in Dallas

1) Bruiser Brody made short work of Cousin Luke in the opener. Brody was cheered tremendously in this match, as Dallas fans remember him from wrestling in the local WCCW prior to coming to the USWA. Luke gained the momentum briefly and for some reason decided to climb up the ropes. Brody caught him before he could execute whatever he had in mind and slammed him to the mat! He nailed a big jumping knee drop and went for the cover, but pulled Luke up after the two-count. He barked to the crowd and signaled that he was going for a second knee drop. He covered the hillbilly again, but again pulled him! He then delivered a third knee drop to the crowd’s delight and finally stayed on top to put Luke out of his misery! ¼*

2) The Sheik came close to being defeated for the first time, but through some help, came back to defeat Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Valentine looked to make a name for himself as he worked over Sheik from the opening bell. He successfully executed a piledriver early and went for a pin attempt, but the Syrian madman kicked out. “The Hammer” applied his figure-four leglock and held Sheik in the hold for over two minutes. Abdullah Farouk got up on the ring apron and distracted referee Tommy Marlin. Valentine released the hold, but continued his assault on the Sheik. He nailed another piledriver, but again Sheik kicked out. He pulled Sheik into the center of the ring and once again applied the figure-four, to the Sheik who was bleeding by this point. Farouk again took Marlin’s attention away from the action. This time, Sheik’s nephew and partner Sabu ran down to ringside with a chair in hand. Sabu came off the top rope with an atomic Arabian facebuster on “The Hammer”, which naturally broke the hold. Sabu then rolled out of the ring before Marlin could see his presence. Sheik recovered and locked Valentine in his camel clutch. “The Hammer” fought for the ropes, but after a minute had to concede. The Sheik continued his unholy unbeaten streak! ***

3) The Midnight Express made short work of Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton started off with the “Birdman”. Jim Cornette’s team showed their aggressive side as Eaton pounded on Ware, then tagged into “Loverboy” Dennis. They executed the Midnight Massacre on Ware. Condrey went for a cover, but Jones broke it up. Condrey nailed Koko with some knees to the stomach, then tagged in again to Eaton. He lifted Ware up into a suplex, but then dropped him stomach-first onto Eaton’s knee. Eaton made the cover as Condrey knocked Jones off the ring apron to insure he didn’t make another save. The Express remained undefeated. DUD

4) Sabu defeated rival Red Bastien in an exciting match. The Bombay madman was in control for the first several minutes of the match. With help from Abdullah Farouk, he was able to execute an Arabian facebuster on Bastien. He went for a cover, but Red was able to kick out. Bastien scored a nearfall after a sunset flip. Sabu came back and went for a triple jump moonsault, but missed and crashed. Red regained control and immediately executed two of his spinning atomic drops on Sabu, but couldn’t put him down for three. He nailed a third atomic drop, but Farouk again got involved. Red nailed Abdullah with a big forearm shot, knocking him off the apron. Although Farouk took a beating, it allowed his charge to comeback. Sabu, although bloody by this point, pounded away on Red. He locked on the camel clutch and forced Red to submit. ****1/4

5) Giant Baba pinned Masked Superstar in an exciting match. The masked man was able to control the Japanese giant in the first few minutes of the contest. He locked on his cobra hold early and it looked like Baba would go down, but suddenly Baba went near the ring ropes and tried to throw Superstar off of him. Superstar held on to the cobra, but both men went through the ropes and to the arena floor! Baba managed to recover first and tossed Superstar back into the ring. He whipped him into the ropes and executed his devastating neckbreaker drop, but Superstar was able to kick out. Baba gained some near falls after a back suplex and a Russian leg sweep. Blood started to flow through the starred mask of the Superstar after he ran into a Baba boot to the face. Baba locked Superstar in a bear hug. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan got on the ring apron and distracted referee Frank Morrell. Baba let go of the bear hug and went towards “The Weasel”, but Superstar recovered and nailed him with a forearm smash to the back. He regained the advantage, but suddenly Antonio Inoki came down to ringside and went after Heenan for his interference! Superstar nailed a spinning neckbreaker and went for a cover, but Morrell was distracted by the antics at ringside. Superstar got off of Baba and yelled at Inoki to leave his manager alone, but this gave Baba the chance to recover. He attacked Superstar and whipped him into the ropes to execute another neckbreaker drop! He covered the masked man and put him down for three to score the victory! Inoki celebrated with his countryman afterward. ****

6) Southern Heavyweight champ Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton defeated their rivals Ted DiBiase and Virgil. These teams have had exciting match-ups in the past, and this one lived up to that expectation. Former tag partners (and tag champs) Hutton and DiBiase started off against each other. Hutton scored an early nearfall on “The Million Dollar Man” after an Oklahoma side roll. DiBiase tagged out to his bodyguard. Virgil had some good offense in this match. He used a plethora of punches (not a Plethador!) to knock down the Southern champ. DiBiase came back in and worked over the man who took the Southern title from him. He came off the top turnbuckle with a big knee drop to Gotch’s head. He tagged back into Virgil and the duo pummeled on Gotch in their corner. Hutton attempted to save Gotch, but was held back by referee Kevin Christian. DiBiase choked Gotch with the tag rope, while Virgil delivered more punches to the champ’s stomach. Virgil pulled Gotch away from the corner and started to punch away some more, but Gotch came back and took the bodyguard down. He tagged back into Hutton. Hutton and Virgil tussled back-and-forth for several minutes. DiBiase and Gotch came back in. “The Million Dollar Man” applied the Million Dollar Dream to the champ, but Gotch quickly made the ropes. Gotch got busted open, but managed to comeback. He locked DiBiase in the Gotch Toehold. It looked like DiBiase would tap out, but he made the ropes. A couple minutes later, the champ applied the toehold again in the center of the ring. Virgil attempted to save his employer, but was taken down by Hutton. DiBiase had no choice but to tap out, giving the scientific grapplers the victory. Does this give Gotch momentum going into the “title vs. fortune” match at New Year’s Knockout? ****1/4

7) In what turned out to be another awesome match, Mil Mascaras defeated “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. in a back-and-forth double juice match. The match started slowly with both men showing some great technical wrestling skills. Orton nailed Mascaras with a clothesline off of a turnbuckle whip, then followed up with a reverse splash off the middle rope. He went for a cover, but Mascaras kicked out. Orton placed the luchador on the top turnbuckle and delivered his superplex, but Mascaras was able to kick out at 2 ¾. Orton performed a second consecutive superplex, but again “The Man of 1,000 Masks” survived. Orton bounced off the ropes with a big running knee lift and scored another nearfall. The knee smash caused Mascaras to bleed through one of his thousand masks. The “Cowboy” executed a third superplex, but still couldn’t get the pinfall on Mascaras. The Mexican superstar regained control and locked Orton in an Indian Deathlock, but Orton quickly got to the ropes. He bounced off the ropes and nailed Orton with his cross body attack. Mascaras made a cover, but Orton kicked out. He then went to the top rope and came off with a beautiful flying body press, but still couldn’t keep Orton down. Orton rolled out of the ring to try and get a breather. As Bobby Heenan consoled his man, Mascaras came off the top rope with a big plancha to the floor. “The Brain” managed to dodge the move, but Orton took the brunt of the dive. The “Cowboy” hit his head on the guard railing and was busted open as well. Mascaras rolled back into the ring. Orton was almost counted out of the ring, but Heenan got his man up and Orton crawled back in by the count of nine. A minute later, Mascaras went for another flying body press. This time he scored the pinfall. This was probably Mascaras’ biggest win so far in the USWA, as he defeated a former World Heavyweight champion. This was also the fourth straight match to be four stars or higher! ****1/2

8) Antonio Inoki became the second international star to score a pinfall on a Bob Orton in one night, when he defeated Orton, Sr. The elder Orton powered out of an attempted full nelson and scooped up Inoki into a slam in the opening minutes of the match. Orton accidentally knocked down referee Jerry Calhoun after with an elbow. Calhoun was only momentarily hurt. As Orton turned his attention to the official, Inoki rolled him up from with a reverse cradle. Despite the surprise attack, Orton managed to kick out. The two traded holds for a few minutes, until Inoki locked on a ground cobra twist. “The Big O.” managed to grab the bottom rope, forcing Inoki to release. Inoki allowed Orton to get to his feet, but then nailed him with a big enzuigiri. The big jumping kick put Orton down for a three-count. Afterwards, Bob Orton, Jr. ran down to the ring bandaged up from his previous match with Mil Mascaras. He came off the top rope with a sledge to the back of Inoki’s head. Giant Baba came down and knocked down the “Cowboy” with a boot. Inoki got to his feet and he and Baba executed a big double back suplex on the elder Orton. Orton, Jr. and Bobby Heenan reached in and pulled Orton out of the ring and helped him to the back. The next day on WMC-TV, Heenan announced that Orton, Sr. had suffered a neck injury and will be out of action for about two months. The Heenan Family went 0-3 on this night in Dallas! **3/4

9) A wounded Road Warriors team showed how logic doesn’t apply to them, as they retained their USWA World Tag Team championship defeating Capt. Lou Albano’s team of the Vachons by DQ. The Legion of Doom started off strong, despite Animal’s weakened back. They worked over Mad Dog for the first several minutes of the match, executing several double-team maneuvers on the Algerian brawler. After Hawk missed a dropkick, Mad Dog placed him throat-first across the middle rope, bounced off the ropes, came back, and attacked Hawk’s back with the Mad Dog Pounce. He tagged out to Butcher, who worked over Hawk as well. Animal tagged in, but the bigger Vachon used his roughhouse tactics to keep him down. Butcher came off the top rope with a big splash on Animal, but Hawk made the save. Mad Dog came back in, but the champs regained control. Mad Dog was busted open after a spike piledriver from the L.O.D. Animal whipped Mad Dog into the ropes and when he came back, Animal caught him with his big power slam. He went for the cover, but out of nowhere, as they seem to do, the Midnight Express and Jim Cornette jumped in the ring. Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey jumped on Animal, leaving referee Paul Morton no choice but to call for the bell and disqualify the Vachons. Before they could cause further damage to Animal’s back, Hawk ran in the ring with a steel chair and swung at the Express and Cornette. The trio were able to avoid the chair shots and retreated to the locker room as quickly as they appeared. The Road Warriors kept the belts, while Albano’s team still has not been pinned or has submitted. ***3/4

10) The main event would be the end of a feud, as Justin Credible put the USWA Texas championship up against his rival the Sandman. The USWA Committee made this a Singapore Cane Match, as well as added a Loser-Leave-Town stipulation where the loser would have to leave the USWA for one year. Both men started off swinging at each other with their canes. Sandman controlled the action early, delivering a White Russian Leg Sweep with the aid of the cane in front of Credible. He rolled over into a cover, but the champ kicked out. Sandman executed not one, but two Hardcore DDTs, the second one on the cane, but neither time was able to pin the champ. As Sandman attempted to smash Credible with his cane, Justin struck Sandman in the leg with his cane, causing Sandman to drop his cane. Justin went up to the top turnbuckle and dove off with nailing Sandman in the back of the neck with his cane. He went for a cover, but Sandman kicked out, though he was holding his neck. The champ noted this and picked up Sandman for That’s Incredible. He dropped Sandman right on his head with it and went for a cover, but Sandman kicked out. Sandman slowly got to his feet, but was knocked down with a superkick, his head bouncing off the mat as he fell. Justin again tried to pin the challenger, but Sandman somehow kicked out. Credible placed Sandman throat-first across the top rope and struck him three time across the back of the neck with the cane. He then delivered another That’s Incredible and covered Sandman to score the pin and send Sandman packing. Jim Cornette jumped up and down, as Credible held up the Texas gold as well as his cane, symbolizing he’ll be the lone “cane swinger” in the USWA. The Sportatorium fans gave Sandman a standing ovation as the brawler made his way to the locker room. Sandman chugged down a few beers as he walked to the back, most likely to numb the neck pain he was suffering! Fans were a little surprised that this match was relatively short and free of blood. **

I'll post again in a couple minutes with more matches for New Year's Knockout III, as well as the matches for the Card #115!

[Cory Olson]

The day after the Dallas card, some more matches were announced for the upcoming New Year's Knockout III!

After their repeated attacks on Animal's back, the Midnight Express will challenge the Road Warriors for the USWA World Tag Team titles! Even though Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey have only wrestled three matches together in the USWA, Jim Cornette challenged Paul Ellering to a title match with the Legion of Doom. He cited how Eaton and Texas champ Justin Credible defeated the Warriors in a non-title match in Nashville in November (this was the same match that "Loverboy" Dennis made his debut and injured Animal's back with the Midnight Massacre). He said because of that, as well as "Beautiful" Bobby's past history as a USWA tag champ, Eaton and Condrey deserve a shot. "Precious" Paul responded later in the show by saying that his men don't care who they fight, they will put Cornette's men out of action, just like they did to "Sweet" Stan Lane. He told Animal to show the world what the L.O.D. was going to do to the Midnights. Animal proceeded to remove his back brace and rip it in half! Hawk responded of course with, "What a rush!"

Despite a tough loss to the Sheik's nephew Sabu, Red Bastien has challenged the Syrian madman to a one-on-one match! Bastien stated that he is going to do all he can to end the Sheik's winning streak and gain revenge for his fallen tag team partner, Bobo Brazil. Can Red pull off the impossible?

"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers will return from a leg injury to take on one of the men who put him out of action--Chris Candido. Rogers was interview by Bill Apter on WMC-TV this past week. He said his first wish would be to battle his former teammate Gorgeous George, who was primarily responsible for injuring him. He said he's content for now taking on that "Buddy Rogers wannabe" Candido. He's also happy that George got a taste of his own medicine in getting injured by Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody.

Speaking of attacks and injuries, after what Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki did to Bob Orton, Sr., Bobby "The Brain" Heenan got a tag match signed pitting the Japanese duo against his team of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and the Masked Superstar. An interpreter spoke on behalf of Inoki and Baba, saying that both men are looking forward to teaming together to take on Heenan's men. He said that the Heenan Family has done dispicable things and they went after Baba first in Dallas, so Inoki and Baba were merely defending themselves. The interpreter also stated that Baba and Inoki's teammate, the Destroyer, has left for now to tour the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, but wished Baba and Inoki well in their continued competition in the USWA.

And in a special attraction, "The 8th Wonder of thew World" Andre the Giant will make an appearance, taking on not one, but two USWA superstars...well, "superstars" is a stretch. The French giant will take on Cousin Luke and the bodyguard Virgil. Apparently Luke wanted to team with his regular partner, "Dastardly" Danny Doring, but Doring was not sure if he would be ready in time for NYK III, after suffering a concussion from Koko B. Ware's Ghostbuster. Rumor has it that Doring spoke to "The Million Dollar Man" about hiring his bodyguard to team with Luke, even going so far as to pay for Virgil with the hillbilly's own money, which Luke would normally send to his family back home in Hog Waller. Andre has toured all over the world and has an impressive record against opponents of all size, but this will be his first appearance in the USWA. Can he defeat both Luke and Virgil?

Also, after coming close to ending the winning streak of the Sheik, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine has challenged the man who cost him the match, Sabu, to a one-on-one battle. Abdullah Farouk accepted the match for his man, stating that "The Hammer" will suffer the same fate that the Sheik dealt him!

This past week, videos aired of World champion Nick Bockwinkel and his challenger Harley Race preparing for their big 60-Minute Iron Man Match. The two men emphasized that stamina will be the key to surviving the match. Bobby Heenan noted that Bock has won the main events at the past two New Year's Knockouts and both in matches of endurance. In 2004, he retained the World title defeating Frank Gotch in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, two falls to one. And last year, Bockwinkel returned from a near career ending concussion to win his second USWA title defeating "Playboy" Buddy Rose in an Alley Fight Match, where there were eight falls before Rose couldn't answer the 10-count. "The Brain" stated that his man has the edge in going longer.

The USWA will make its last stop before the New Year's extravaganza, as they return to the Earl Belle Community Center (on Church Street) in Jonesboro, Arkansas!
*Chris Candido will take on "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, before he tangles with Buddy Rogers at NYK III. Candido scored a big win over Snuka in November in Nashville. Can he repeat?
*Before he does battle with the Shiek, Red Bastien will face another tough opponent in the Masked Superstar. Superstar has an impressive won-loss record in this first year in the USWA. Is Bastien biting off more than he can chew?
*In another rematch just signed, Mil Mascaras will wrestle his first USWA match this year outside of Texas as he does battle again with "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. After their exciting match in Dallas, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan claimed that the official was biasis in the luchador's favor and wanted a rematch. Can Mascaras repeat or will Orton get revenge? And will this match live up to the last one's standards?
*The Vachon Brothers will compete in singles matches for the first time in the USWA. Mad Dog will take on "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware, while Butcher takes on a wilder challenge in Bruiser Brody! Can Capt. Lou's men be as successful in singles as they have been in tag team competition?
*Before the Road Warriors and the Midnight Express lock-up for the World Tag Team titles, their managers will see action! Hawk and "Precious" Paul Ellering will go at it with "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton and Jim Cornette, who will surely dust off his full body wrestling suit for this one! Can Eaton and Cornette gain an advantage going into the title match?
*The main event will be a truly unique tag team encounter as Southern Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton will face the undefeated Sheik and the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu! The USWA Committee announced that the Sheik will face the winner of the Gotch-Ted DiBiase match in January 2007 for the Southern Heavyweight championship. But first he will face the current champ in tag action. It's scientific wrestling vs. insane brawling! Sheik beat Gotch by countout in October in Dallas, after a fireball and his sharp object. Will brawling put down Gotch and Hutton? In six matches teaming together, Gotch and Hutton have never lost.
All this plus "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, and the team of Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki in action!

[Cory Olson]

December 22—Card #115: Earl Belle Community Center in Jonesboro, AR

1) Greg Valentine pinned S.D. Jones in the opener. “The Hammer” looked aggressive here, as he was in control for the majority of the match. He blasted Special Delivery several times with his patented chops. Jones staged a comeback and nailed Valentine with two of his big head butts. He covered Valentine, but only got a two-count. “The Hammer” came back after catching a breather outside the ring. He scored the pinfall after a big neckbreaker. *1/4

2) Mad Dog Vachon won his first USWA singles match, making short work of “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware. After a brief tie-up and rope break, Ware started doing his famous Birdman strut, which brought cheers from the Jonesboro crowd. Mad Dog responded by barking at Frankie at ringside, then unleashing a vicious assault on Ware. He whipped Koko from pillar to post. Vachon executed a piledriver, but wouldn’t go for a cover. He picked up Ware on his shoulders and spun him several times in an airplane spin. Mad Dog covered “The Birdman”, but only got a two-count. Vachon executed a second piledriver and this time scored the pin. Capt. Lou Albano calmed his man down, as the Algerian brawler yelled, “It’s dog eat dog!” ¼*

3) Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki defeated Virgil and Cousin Luke in a tag team match that turned out to be more competitive than most expected. In some ways, Luke and Virgil were “training” for their handicap match against Andre the Giant at New Year’s Knockout III, by taking on the “smaller” Baba. Inoki came off the top rope in the opening minutes with a knee drop on the hillbilly, but Luke was able to kick out. Inoki tagged in to his giant partner. Baba went for a clothesline on Luke, but Luke was able to duck the move and Baba hit the turnbuckle hard and crashed to the arena floor. Virgil reluctantly tagged Luke. As Baba climbed back into the ring, Luke and Virgil picked him up into a double Hillbilly Drop. Virgil went for the cover, but Baba kicked out at two. Baba was eventually able to tag back out to Inoki, but Virgil had some offense against him. A miscommunication on a double team move, got Inoki back in control and he nailed Virgil with two enzuigiris. He went for the cover, but Luke saved the bodyguard by head butting Inoki. Virgil recovered enough to apply the Million Dollar Dream, but Inoki quickly got to the ropes. Luke came back in, but Inoki tagged out as well. Baba booted Luke right in the face and went for a cover, but Virgil came off the second turnbuckle with a double sledge to the giant’s back. Inoki ran in and dropkicked Virgil, taking him out of the ring. Baba picked Luke up, whipped him into the ropes and delivered his dreaded neckbreaker drop. He rolled on top of the hillbilly and scored the pinfall to win for the Japanese duo. **3/4

4) Butcher Vachon followed in his brother’s footsteps and scored his first singles win in the USWA. His win was a big one at that, as he defeated Bruiser Brody! Brody missed a charge into the corner early and hit head-on into the ringpost. Butcher worked over his neck and went for his hangman submission early, but couldn’t keep Brody up on his back. Mad Dog joined Capt. Lou Albano at ringside early in the match and aided his brother throughout the match. Butcher came off the top rope with a big splash on Brody, but only kept him down for a two-count. Brody came back and was able to pick up Butcher into a twisting vertical suplex, but couldn’t keep him down for a pin. He executed a jumping knee drop, which brought the Jonesboro crowd to their feet, thinking that the end was near, but to a big shock, Butcher kicked out! Butcher came back, after another interference from his brother, and again targeted the New Mexican madman’s neck. He tried for the hangman again and this time was able to hoist Brody up. Brody fought through the pain for a minute-and-a-half. Referee Kevin Christian raised Brody’s arm three times and each time it dropped. Christian called for the bell, as the Earl Belle Community Center was stunned to see Butcher gain the submission win. Right after the bell, Mad Dog jumped in and the Algerian brothers went to hurt Brody’s neck some more. Capt. Lou grabbed Brody’s own chain and handed it to Butcher, who wrapped it around Brody’s neck and started to choke him with it! It looked as if they were about to execute a spike piledriver, with Mad Dog picking Brody up, but before they could “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka ran out to run the Vachons and Albano off with a steel chair. The Vachons have still not been pinned or submitted, in both singles and tag matches! ***1/4

5) “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase defeated Brutus Beefcake by submission. DiBiase looked focused as he goes into his very important match with Frank Gotch at New Year’s Knockout. Beefcake had a few moments of offense against DiBiase, but DiBiase would use his technical wrestling arsenal to control the San Francisco native. After just a few minutes, DiBiase locked on the Million Dollar Dream and scored a quick submission. ¼*

6) Masked Superstar pinned Red Bastien. In the opening moments, Red surprised the Superstar nailing him with a cross body block after bouncing off the ropes. Bastien hooked the leg and got a very nearfall. Superstar caught Red coming off the top turnbuckle with a flying body press and slammed him to the mat. Superstar went up to the top and hit a bodypress of his own, but only got a two count. The masked man used several of his head butts, which appeared to not have been “loaded” as Superstar has done in the past, and then locked Bastien in a sleeperhold. Bastien’s arm dropped twice, but bounced back up on the third attempt. Bastien came back and was outwrestling the Superstar. He whipped him into the ropes and went for a clothesline, but Superstar was able to duck under, and came back at Bastien with a cross body block of his own. He kept Bastien down for a three-count, seemingly out of nowhere. **1/4

7) Chris Candido scored his second pinfall victory over “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka in just a couple of minutes. Snuka started off strong and fast-paced against the blonde bombshell. Candido rolled out of the ring and was consoled by Tammy Sytch. Snuka went to attack Candido, but Candido pulled Sytch in front of him. Snuka stopped short of hitting the valet, but this allowed Candido the chance to sucker punch him and throw him headfirst into the ring post. He tossed “Superfly” back into the ring and came off the second turnbuckle with a leg drop. He went to the top turnbuckle and came off with a big flying body press on Snuka. He made a cover and grabbed Snuka’s tights to hold down for three. Snuka was upset by Candido’s sneaky tactics. DUD

8) In a rematch from the last card, Mil Mascaras defeated “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. in what turned out to be another amazing match. The two wrestlers grappled in the first several minutes and seemed to have counters for each other’s holds. They went quite a while before either man could attempt a pinfall. Mascaras applied a unique lucha-style version of the bow and arrow and looked to have Orton trapped, but Orton managed to roll into the ropes. The “Man of 1,000 Masks” executed his cross body attack, as well as a beautiful flying body press off the top rope, but Bobby “The Brain” Heenan distracted referee Frank Morrell from making the count. Mascaras whipped Orton into the buckle and flew at him with a splash, but Orton dodge the attack and Mascaras hit the buckle hard. Orton rolled him up, but only got a two count. The “Cowboy” executed three consecutive superplexes on Mil and floated over into a cover each time, but each time the luchador managed to kick out as the Jonesboro crowd cheered him on. Right before the third superplex, Orton punched Mascaras hard while he was seated on the top turnbuckle, which caused Mascaras to bleed through the mask again. Mascaras reversed an Irish whip into the buckle and rammed Orton’s head into the top buckle, which busted him open as well. He applied an octopus hold and almost got a submission, but Orton managed to reach the ropes. The “Cowboy” rolled out of the ring for a breather, and similar to the match in Dallas, Mascaras came off the top rope with a plancha dive to the floor. Orton somehow got back into the ring by the count of nine. Mascaras ascended the turnbuckle again and came off with another flying body press. He hooked Orton’s leg and got the pinfall as the Earl Belle Community Center came alive, at having seen such an awesome match! ****1/2

9) One-half of the USWA World Tag Team champions Hawk teamed up with his manager “Precious” Paul Ellering to score a victory over “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and his manager Jim Cornette. Animal was at ringside with Hawk and Ellering, while both “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey and Texas champion Justin Credible accompanied Cornette and Eaton. As expected, Hawk and Eaton started the match off for their teams. Eaton gained an early advantage after ducking a boot from Hawk and surprising him with a spinning neckbreaker. Eaton came off the top rope with his Alabama Jam, but it was too early, as Hawk kicked out. Cornette took advantage of Hawk’s weakened state and tagged in, but quickly was overpowered. Ellering tagged in as the crowd erupted. He went to work on Cornette, whipping him hard into the turnbuckle and then applying a full nelson. It looked as if the “Louisville Slugger” would have no escape, but Eaton saved his manager from submitting. Ellering tagged into Hawk, but Cornette managed to crawl into his corner and tag Eaton. The two tag specialists went at it, with Eaton gaining momentary control. He tagged into Cornette, but Hawk quickly stopped him again. The tag champ went up to the top rope and came off with a flying clothesline, knocking the manager out of his spandex body suit! (Not literally, thankfully!) He went for a cover, but Justin Credible distracted referee Paul Morton. “Loverboy” Dennis handed his partner a chain, which Eaton used to clock Hawk with. Hawk managed to tag out to Ellering, but Eaton retained control. Eaton slammed Ellering down and came off the top rope with another Alabama Jam, yet surprisingly Ellering kicked out at 2 3/4. Eaton nailed a third Jam, but Cornette called for the tag, wanting the pin. Eaton obliged, but it was a mistake as it took too much time and Ellering powered out of Cornette’s arrogant “cover.” Eaton came back in shortly after, but Hawk tagged back in as well and knocked Eaton into his own corner. Perhaps out of instinct from wrestling in so many tag team matches, Eaton tagged into his manager. Cornette tried to argue the move, but referee Morton made him come in. Before he could tag back out, Ellering had entered the match. Hawk took out Eaton on the other side of the ring as they brawled on the floor. Animal made his way around and delivered a noggin knocker to Condrey and Credible! This left the two managers. Ellering leaned Cornette against the ropes and nailed him with several hard forearm smashes. He whipped Cornette into the ropes and nailed with another big forearm, dropping Cornette. Ellering pounced on Cornette and hooked the leg to score the victory, as the fans cheered for the tag champs and their manager! ***

10) The main event saw history made, as the sadistic Sheik suffered his first defeat in the USWA! Southern Heavyweight champ Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton defeated the Syrian madman and his nephew Sabu in one of the wildest matches in USWA history! Abdullah Farouk’s diabolical team tried to attack the scientific wrestlers during Gary Michael Cappetta’s introduction, but Gotch and Hutton saw them coming and cut them off. Hutton started off with Sabu. Sabu went for a piledriver, but couldn’t get Hutton up. Hutton was able to pick up Sabu into his Cowboy backbreaker, but Sabu wouldn’t give. Sabu missed a triple jump moonsault on Hutton, which allowed him to tag into Gotch applied his famous toehold. Sabu was locked in the hold for over a minute, but was finally able to reach the ropes. Sheik tagged in and went to work on Hutton, stabbing away at him with his sharp object. Gotch saved his partner and tagged in, going to work on the Sheik. He used several submissions on Sheik, but Sheik wouldn’t give. Sabu tagged in to give Sheik a breather. Sabu executed a regular moonsault off the top turnbuckle on Hutton and went for a pin, but Hutton kicked out. He locked on the camel clutch, but Hutton made the ropes. Hutton was bleeding by this point, but somehow got to his corner to tag in the Southern champ. Sabu tagged into the Sheik as well. Gotch again started to outwrestle Sheik, applying a grinding hammerlock, a move Sheik has won matches with, but Sheik made the ropes. Gotch locked on a rolling knee bar and then turned it into his toehold. Sheik looked on the verge of tapping out, but Sabu saved his uncle. Sheik was busted open by this point as well and brought out the sharp object again to carve up the Southern champ. This drew blood on Gotch as well. He applied the camel clutch, while jabbing Gotch with the object, but the champ wouldn’t give. He applied a hammerlock as well, while jabbing Gotch’s shoulder, but somehow the Iowan still wouldn’t concede. Sheik chomped on Gotch’s forehead, trying to open the wound more, but Gotch fought free and wore down the Sheik. He tagged into Hutton, who whipped Sheik into the ropes and when he came back applied his abdominal stretch as the Community Center went nuts! Sheik fought for the ropes, but wouldn’t give. Hutton decided to turn the stretch into a pinning combination as he dropped Sheik backwards into a lateral guillotine. He held the bloody Sheik’s shoulders down to the mat as referee Jerry Calhoun counted three, giving Gotch and Hutton the victory and Sheik his first pinfall loss! Jonesboro was ecstatic, as the bloodied duo of Gotch and Hutton embraced in victory! Farouk entered the ring to check on his men. He started to hurl insults at Hutton, while Sheik was recovering. Sheik got on his knees and appeared to be getting ready to throw what would have been a devastating fireball in Hutton’s direction. The Southern champ noticed this and shot in a takedown on the Sheik. A fireball shot off aimlessly. Fortunately all the men in the ring dodged the flame. Hutton knocked down Sabu with a forearm shot, then Farouk as well, knocking the fez off his head! Hutton picked up Sheik into a Cowboy backbreaker, holding him up for several minutes. He finally dropped the Sheik and he and Gotch walked off. Sheik lay in the ring, clutching his back. Farouk and Sabu recovered and checked on the Sheik. Paramedics came down to ringside and had to cart Sheik off on a stretcher. The Jonesboro crowd was shocked, but definitely not saddened, at seeing the vile Sheik in a wounded state! The Sheik suffered back injuries, but no word has been released yet on the severity of his injuries. *****

Later on, I'll post an analysis of the matches (including some new ones just signed) for New Year's Knockout III. I'll also "go back in time" and post the results from the first two New Year's Knockouts!

[blueraider2]

awesome card cory.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks, Neil!

Here is the line-up from beginning to end for New Year's Knockout III, coming to you on December 31 from the Louisville Gardens!

Koko B. Ware vs. Danny Doring
Doring receive some late good news, as he was cleared to wrestle after suffering a concussion. The "Dastardly One" claims some "herbal therapies" helped speed up his recovery. Cousin Luke tried to get his partner to join him and Virgil in his later handicap match against Andre the Giant, but Doring claimed that the contract for the match had already been signed and couldn't be changed. Plus Doring stated he wants revenge on "The Birdman" for putting him out of action. He claims that the Danaconda is more powerful than any bird! Will Doring's herbal therapies help him gain a win or will Ware fly to victory?

Dick Hutton vs. Brutus Beefcake
This was another one of the last added matches. Hutton who had had an up-and-down year in 2006, shocked the wrestling world by not only pinning the Sheik, but putting the madman out of action! With his Dream Team partner (Greg Valentine) seemingly focusing more on singles action at the moment, Beefcake seems lost in the USWA right now. This match could be important for the winner going into 2007!

Greg Valentine vs. Sabu
This is another all-important match-up for moving up in the USWA scene. "The Hammer" also came close to defeating Sabu's uncle, as well as Harley Race in November. He's looking for revenge on Sabu, whom Valentine claims stuck his nose in where it doesn't belong. Can Valentine put the Bombay lunatic down or will Sabu's death-defying style prevail?

Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody vs. The Vachons
After Butcher's shocking submission victory over Brody and the Vachons' attempted attack of Brody, Snuka and Brody demanded a match with the Algerian duo. Mad Dog and Butcher have proven to be rough and tough competitors. Can Brody and Snuka put them down or will Capt. Lou's team brutalize yet another team?

Red Bastien vs. Justin Credible
Due to the Sheik's injury (which reportedly now will keep him out of action until the spring), Abdullah Farouk cut a deal with Jim Cornette to have the Texas champ substitute for the Sheik. Naturally this will be non-title, but these two men had two great matches in '06. A win for Red would most likely lead to another shot at the gold in '07. Can Red gain a win or will the Texas champ cane his way to victory?

Buddy Rogers vs. Chris Candido
The battle of two cocky, blonde bombshells! Candido and Gorgeous George put Rogers out of action with a leg injury and now the "Nature Boy" is out for revenge. Candido claims he's got a surprise from Rogers' past that will put him down. What could it be?

Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba vs. Masked Superstar and Bob Orton, Jr.
The Japanese duo have had some great battles with the various members of the Heenan Family this year. Although the USWA Committee has announced that Inoki will get another shot at the USWA World Heavyweight champion (whoever he is) on the first show of 2007, reportedly Inoki and Baba plan to team on a regular basis in the new year. Bobby Heenan claims that his men will send Inoki and Baba back to the "Land of the Rising Sun" in embarassment, as Superstar and the "Cowboy" will injure them, just as they did to Bob Orton, Sr. Who will win this epic tag team battle?

Andre the Giant vs. Cousin Luke and Virgil
(Handicap Match)
"The 8th Wonder of the World" has defeated some of the great wrestlers across the world. He was competed against many wrestlers at once in Battle Royals or Handicap Matches. Luke and Virgil did have their moments against Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba. But can they defeat a man who stands 7'4" and weighs 450 lbs. or more?

Frank Gotch vs. Ted DiBiase
(USWA Southern Heavyweight title vs. DiBiase's Fortune)
These two have battled all year long and hopefully it will end at NYK III. DiBiase brought in Gotch's "worst nightmare" in George Hackenschmidt back in May. "The Russian Lion" defeated Gotch twice, before losing an awesome 2-out-of-3 Falls Match to Gotch in November and disappearing. Gotch captured the Southern gold from "The Million Dollar Man," and now DiBiase is literally putting it all on the line to get one more shot. Can DiBiase win the belt back or will he lost it all?

The Road Warriors vs. The Midnight Express
(USWA World Tag Team titles)
There's a lot of history between these two teams. The original Express of Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane sent Hawk and Animal out of the USWA in May 2005. The Legion of Doom returned with "Precious" Paul Ellering by their side at New Year's Knockout II. They defeated Eaton and Lane for the belts in May of this year, and later put "Sweet" Stan out with a neck injury. "Loverboy" Dennis was brought in as Lane's replacement and immediately made an impact by injuring Animal's back. Eaton and Condrey have since been a thorn in the Warriors' side. Can the new Express win the gold or will the Warriors roll through yet another team?

Nick Bockwinkel vs. Harley Race
(USWA World Heavyweight championship--60 Minute Iron Man Match, Ed "Strangler" Lewis will be special guest referee)
These two were together as allies since the USWA's inception in 2004. Race often served as the "policeman"--taking on or even trying to take out wrestlers who wanted to challenge Bockwinkel for the gold. When Bobby "The Brain" Heenan came on as manager at last year's New Year's Knockout, he always seemed to favor Bockwinkel. Race earned a shot in April of this year and looked on his way to winning, but Heenan (who claimed to be in a neutral corner) shoved down the referee, when he claimed the official "put his hands" on Race. Race got another shot at the 100th USWA card in July, with fellow Heenan Family member Bob Orton, Jr. as special referee, but it turned out to be a plot by the rest of the Heenan Family to sabotage Race. Race has taken on the entire Heenan Family and even defeated them all in one night at the beginning of this month in the eight-man tag team Elimination Match in Memphis. Can he finally win the gold or will Bockwinkel retain yet again?

This past week, Bill Apter interviewed Ed "Strangler" Lewis, who will keep order in this match. Apter asked how strict of a referee Lewis would be. He responded by saying that he knows the importance of a world title match and that the fans want a clear-cut winner, so he will try to be lenient. But at the same time he wants to see two great wrestlers having a wrestling match. Lewis said he has seen footage of both the champion and the challenger and knows what they are capable of and wants to see what they are capable of in a 60-minute match. Apter asked what Lewis would do if Bobby "The Brain" Heenan were to get involved. Lewis said he has no problem being a "hands-on" referee should "The Weasel" stick his nose in where it doesn't belong.

Apter also asked if the USWA fans should expect to see Lewis competing in a USWA ring in 2007. Lewis said that has had a great time the last two years competing in Central States Wrestling (where he had a reign as the NWA World Heavyweight champion), but wants to take some time off in his native Louisville. He did not say that he is retiring from wrestling, but plans to continue training hard and return sometime in the future.

New Year's Knockout III comes your way from the Louisville Gardens on December 31. Don't you dare miss it!