Cory's USWA Fed

[Cory Olson]

Sorry, Tim, I didn't see this post till today, since I was gone all week in the home of future Legend Jack Veneno--the Dominican Republic.

I played this card last Sunday and hopefully will get to post the results soon. Let's just say that the three matches Tim mentioned had VERY interesting results!

[Cory Olson]

February 16, 2007
Card #121—Municipal Auditorium in Nashville

1) Danny Doring and Cousin Luke defeated Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones by countout in the opening contest. The “Birdman” and Special Delivery used the Ghostbuster and the head butt on Luke, but couldn’t keep him down. The hillbilly managed to tag in to Doring, who mounted a comeback. At one point, he tossed Jones out of the ring and distracted referee Frank Morrell, which allowed Virgil to nail Jones with a clothesline. Jones managed to crawl back into the ring, but was knocked out again a few minutes later. This time Virgil distracted Morrell, while Koko and Doring went at in the ring. Luke grabbed his lucky horseshoe and smacked Special Delivery over the head with it. Luke got back into the ring, leaving a knocked out Jones on the floor and causing a countout win for him and Doring. Perhaps this alliance of Doring, Luke, and Virgil will be a successful one. **1/2

2) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton scored a second win over Red Bastien, but this time in a more tainted fashion. As usual, Jim Cornette accompanied Eaton to ringside, but Texas champ Justin Credible returned to his original bodyguard duties and came out as well. Credible was most likely scouting Bastien for his next defense against the high flyer. While Cornette distacted referee Kevin Christian, Eaton whipped Bastien into the ropes, where Justin cracked him across the back with his Singapore Cane from the arena floor. Eaton caught Bastien with a quick power slam, then came off the top rope with the Alabama Jam to score the victory. DUD

3) Virgil scored his second upset victory of ’07, defeating Chris Candido. The blonde bombshell just couldn’t seem to get things going in his favor. Virgil locked on the Million Dollar Dream, but Candido made the ropes. Virgil drove Candido into the mat with a big piledriver and covered him for the 1-2-3. Tammy Sytch jumped around at ringside, screaming over her man’s loss. ½*

4) The Road Warriors defeated the Vachons by DQ. The Algerian brothers jumped the Legion of Doom as Gary Michael Cappetta was finishing his introductions. Mad Dog worked over Hawk early on, hoping to pin him again as he did on the last card. He tagged into Butcher, who momentarily controlled Hawk, until he was able to tag into Animal. The Warriors hit the Doomsday Device on Butcher, but Mad Dog broke up the pin attempt. Hawk and Mad Dog started trading punches and spilled to ringside. In the midst of the craziness, Mad Dog grabbed a steel chair and smashed Hawk across the back with it. In the ring, Animal bounced off the ropes, leaped onto Butcher with a big splash, and went for a cover. Before referee Paul Morton could make the three-count, Mad Dog entered the ring and nailed Animal across the back with a chair, leading to an automatic disqualification. Mad Dog looked ready to deliver more damage, but Hawk recovered and ran in to deliver a big clothesline to Mad Dog, knocking him down and causing him to drop the chair. The Vachons bailed out and left the ring with Capt. Lou Albano, while Hawk and Paul Ellering checked on Animal. *1/2

5) Mil Mascaras defeated “Playboy” Buddy Rose by countout. The luchador sensation dazzled the former USWA World champ, smashing him with several cross body attacks and eventually busting him open. Eventually the “Playboy” rolled out of the ring and decided to take a walk with “Sensational” Sherri Martel, leading to a countout. *3/4

6) Sabu was awarded the victory over Greg Valentine in a controversial match. “The Hammer” looked to defeat Sabu quickly, nailing him with stiff chops and elbow smashes early on. The Bombay madman came back and used his high-risk offense on Valentine. He executed a picture perfect triple jump moonsault and looked to have things wrapped up, but somehow Valentine managed to kick out at 27/8. Sabu hit another moonsault a few minutes later, but Capt. Lou Albano got up on the ring apron and distracted Kevin Christian. Abdullah Farouk came around and yelled at Albano, as the rulebreakers’ managers have an “unwritten” agreement to not interfere when their men battle each other. Of course, being that they’re rulebreakers, it never seems to stick! The Nashville crowd rallied behind Valentine in this one. Sabu locked him in the camel clutch, but Valentine managed to reach the ropes, which popped the crowd. Valentine had been busted open from Sabu digging into his face while applying the clutch. Perhaps it was the crowd’s support that helped “The Hammer” get back in control. Valentine got Sabu down on the mat and applied the figure-four leglock. Sabu looked on the verge of submitting, but eventually was able to roll to the ropes, causing a break. Valentine was pounding away on Sabu with forearm shots, when Sabu managed to duck down and pull “The Hammer” forward and causing him to crash into referee Christian. Sabu had a slight cut as well from the hard forearms, but Valentine’s cut was gushing by this point. Sabu took advantage of no official and brought a chair into the ring, which he used to execute two Arabian facebusters. Several officials came down to ringside to help out Christian, while Frank Morrell took over officiating duties. Sabu locked on the camel clutch once again. Valentine fought for the ropes and looked out, but would not secede. Morrell kept checking “The Hammer’s” wound. Finally Morrell was left with no choice, but to call for the bell. He stopped the match due to Valentine’s excessive bleeding and awarded it to Sabu, even though Valentine did not officially surrender. Albano protested the decision, while the Nashville fans voiced their disapproval, with chants that can not be recorded on this report! “The Hammer”, soaked in blood, stood up with a look of anger on his face and nailed Morrell with a stiff forearm shot as well! *****

7) The Masked Superstar proved his victory over Giant Baba on the last card in the tag team bout was no fluke as he once again scored a victory over the big man. Superstar proved his toughness, as he was the recipient of FOUR neckbreaker drops! He kicked out of the first three somehow. When hit with the fourth, Bobby Heenan sensed that his man might be down and got up on the apron to distract Paul Morton. Superstar recovered from this and came off the top rope with a big flying body press, but couldn’t keep Baba down. He executed his spinning neckbreaker, but again Baba kicked out. He took advantage of Baba’s weakened neck and applied the cobra hold. Baba, who had suffered a cut on his forehead, fought for the ropes, but couldn’t reach them. Morton raised his arm and it dropped three times, giving the masked man another submission victory. But things weren’t quite over. “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. came down to the ringside area. Superstar draped Baba throat-first across the top rope while Orton came off the top rope with a falling sledge to the back of his neck. Orton came off a few more times, focusing on the neck. Finally Antonio Inoki, returning to action, came down and ran off the Heenan Family members. It was determined later that Baba suffered only a minor neck injury and will only miss a few weeks of in-ring action. ****

8) George Hackenschmidt scored his second victory over Bruiser Brody, this time via a countout win. “The Russian Lion” took Brody down early and applied a twisting heel hook, which was the same move he beat Brody with a few weeks back. Brody managed to quickly make the ropes to avoid any pain. Hackenschmidt locked on his Russian Bear Hug. Brody started pounding away at the big Estonian’s head trying to force him to release. Suddenly Brody pushed Hackenschmidt near the ropes and the two fell to the arena floor, as they did in their first meeting. Both men recovered and started trading blows on the floor. Both were in danger of being counted out, when Brody sent Hack stumbling back with a big right hand. Brody charged in at “The Russian Lion”, but Hackenschmidt dropped out of the way and sent Brody down with a drop toe hold, which also sent him headfirst into the ringpost. Hackenschmidt rolled into the ring by nine, leaving Brody on the floor to be counted out. It was unclear as to whether or not Hack intended to send Brody into the post or not. Brody got to his feet after the match, angry at the decision and started barking and swinging his chain around. ¼*

9) Antonio Inoki returned to action and scored a decisive victory over “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. in a No-Disqualification Match. After Orton and Masked Superstar’s earlier attack on Giant Baba, Inoki was now not only seeking revenge for his injury, but Baba’s as well. And Inoki was determined. He tore the “Cowboy” apart, blasting him with several enzuigiris throughout the match. Orton did manage to briefly gain control and execute the superplex on the Japanese superstar, but Inoki aggressively kicked out of the pin attempt. Orton started wearing the “crimson mask” after all the enzuigiris he took. Inoki took the battle to the floor and wrapped Orton’s arm around the ringpost. He did this several more times, using the no-disqualification (and no-countout) stipulation to his advantage. Inoki locked Orton in a cross arm breaker on the floor. The “Cowboy” appeared to be even tapping out from the move, but the winning fall needed to be decided in the ring. Inoki threw Orton back in and smashed him with another enzuigiri to finally put the “Cowboy” down for the three. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan seemed very upset by Orton’s devastating loss. **1/2

10) Southern champion Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton made their first defense of the USWA World Tag Team titles in the main event against “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers. George Hackenschmidt accompanied the champions to ringside for the match. In a good display of sportsmanship, all four men shook hands before the match started. Gotch applied the Gotch Toehold to Snuka early on, but the “Superfly” managed to reach the ropes. Rogers and Hutton tagged in and Rogers scored a nearfall after a jumping knee smash. Rogers stopped short of crashing into referee Jerry Calhoun. Hutton took advantage of the momentary distraction and rolled the “Nature Boy” into a small package, but Rogers kicked out. Rogers came back and dazzled Hutton with a series of dropkicks. He tagged into Snuka and the duo whipped Hutton into the ropes and delivered a big double dropkick, which excited the Nashville crowd. Snuka went for a cover, as Calhoun went to count. He counted two, when suddenly Hackenschmidt entered the ring and interrupted his count. Calhoun had no choice but to disqualify the champions for the interference. The crowd was not happy about this. Hackenschmidt looked like he was about to attack the challengers, when Bruiser Brody came back out and stepped in his way. The two looked like they were about to square off again, but were held back by their respective allies, as well as several USWA officials. **

The USWA comes to El Paso, TX on February 23 for a big show at the Civic Center!
*Buddy Rogers looks for some revenge on George Hackenschmidt, who cost he and Snuka the World Tag Team titles! Both these competitors have great won-loss records in singles matches. Who will come out the victor?
*Dick Hutton will collide again with Sabu. Hutton won a competitive match on Card #120 by disqualification. Can he do score a decisive win or will Sabu gain revenge for Hutton putting his evil uncle out of action?
*Two USWA superstars will return to action on this card. First, “The Human Orchid” Gorgeous George teams up with Chris Candido to battle the two men who put him out of action with a neck injury—“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody. Can George and Candido stop the popular duo?
*Also, Bob Orton, Sr. returns from injury to do battle with Antonio Inoki. “The Big O.” will most likely want revenge for Inoki’s massacre of his son. Can Inoki beat the elder Orton?
*In the first of two title matches, Justin Credible defends the USWA Texas title against Red Bastien. Bastien scored a non-title submission victory over the champ at New Year’s Knockout III, but Credible cost Red a match against his teammate Bobby Eaton. Will Red capture his first singles championship or can Justin cane his way to retaining the Lone Star State gold?
*The main event will be for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship as Frank Gotch defends against Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Valentine scored a somewhat surprising submission victory on the champ on Card #120. You can bet he is fired up by his controversial loss to Sabu and is looking for his first singles title, much like Red Bastien. Will it be the figure-four or the Gotch Toehold that brings about victory and gold?
All this plus the Masked Superstar, “Playboy” Buddy Rose, and the Road Warriors in action!

[Cory Olson]

February 23, 2007
Card #122: Civic Coliseum in El Paso

1) The Road Warriors opened the card with a bang by obliterating Danny Doring and Cousin Luke. The Legion of Doom charged their opponents right at the bell. Animal took “Dastardly” Danny out of the ring, while Hawk focused on Luke. Animal and Doring never officially entered the match, as Hawk scored the pinfall in about one minute after executing a gorilla press slam on Luke. Luke and Doring’s ally, Virgil, attempted to get involved, but “Precious” Paul Ellering grabbed him by the leg, while Hawk knocked him off the ring apron with a big running clothesline. DUD

2) The Masked Superstar pinned S.D. Jones. Special Delivery had his moments, but all it took was one spinning (and perhaps now, dreaded) neckbreaker from the masked Heenan Family representative to pick up the win. ¼*

3) Despite his allies’ loss in the opener, Virgil kept up his recent string of upsets, scoring his biggest win in defeating former two-time World Heavyweight champion “Playboy” Buddy Rose! In the opening minutes, it looked like Rose would score an easy win as he controlled the action. After a distraction from “Sensational” Sherri Martel, Rose hit his illegal Bombs Away, which normally would signal victory. But for some bizarre reason, which would turn out to be a mistake, Rose lifted Virgil up before referee Frank Morrell could count three. Virgil came back and applied his Million Dollar Dream, but Rose made the ropes. He busted open the “Playboy” after a knee drop to the head. Virgil would apply the Dream again. Rose fought for the ropes, but couldn’t make it. Morrell raised his arms and it dropped three times, as Sherri screamed at ringside in disbelief. The El Paso fans cheered big for Virgil (or perhaps more for Rose losing!) Doring and Luke came down to ringside to celebrate with Virgil. Sherri was finally able to revive the “Playboy” after the match. Rose stumbled to his feet, covered in blood, with a look of shock and disbelief on his face. ***^3/4

4) Mil Mascaras pinned “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton in a great match. Mascaras dazzled Eaton early on, nailing two crossbody attacks. With some help from Jim Cornette, Eaton took over and came off the top rope three times with the Alabama Jam, but couldn’t keep the “Man of 1,000 Masks” down. Mascaras came back and came off the top with a beautiful flying body press, but Eaton was able to use Mascaras’ momentum and roll on top into a pinning combination. But he would only score a two-count. Mascaras later successfully hit a flying body press and actually butted heads with “Beautiful” Bobby as he came down, busting Eaton open. That press wouldn’t put Eaton down, but a second one a few minutes later would. ****^1/4

5) Fans were highly anticipating the next match-up, but were somewhat disappointed. George Hackenschmidt defeated Buddy Rogers by disqualification. Rogers controlled offense early, picking up the “Russian Lion” and dropping him with a piledriver. He then started to work on Hackenschmidt’s leg, setting him up for the figure-four grapevine. Perhaps the “Nature Boy” was upset that Hackenschmidt cost him and Jimmy Snuka the World Tag Team titles on the last card and was more concerned with revenge, as he continuously stomped on Hack’s leg, despite warnings from referee Kevin Christian. Rogers laid Hackenschmidt’s leg across the bottom rope and would repeatedly pounce on it. Rogers shoved Christian leaving him no choice but to call for the bell. The World Tag Team champions Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton came down to ringside to check on their teammate and perhaps prevent Rogers from administering more damage. Just to make sure there would be no problems, Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody came out as well and stared down the pure wrestling trio. Snuka and Brody remained in the ring, as their scheduled bout was up next. negative*

6) Snuka and Brody took on the returning Gorgeous George and Chris Candido. Candido and Snuka squared off first and Candido scored a nearfall in the opening minutes after a big superplex. George eventually tagged in, but so did Brody who pounded away on the “Human Orchid”. “Superfly” tagged back in and worked over George, but George was eventually able to tag back in to Candido. Candido took the match to the floor and perhaps wanting to get some revenge for George, grabbed a steel chair and smashed Snuka right across the head with it, leading to an automatic disqualification. *^1/2

7) Sabu gained some revenge for his uncle, the Sheik, by pinning Dick Hutton. Sabu was a madman focused here, locking on the camel clutch and punishing one-half of the World Tag Team champions. He barely hit a triple jump moonsault and because of the weak landing, couldn’t keep Hutton down. Hutton tried a comeback, but couldn’t keep up the momentum. Sabu slingshotted in from the ring apron and executed a big somersault leg drop. He covered Hutton to score the three. Abdullah Farouk seems to have his man more focused than he’s ever been in his USWA tenure. *

8) Antonio Inoki defeated his second Orton, pinning the returning Orton, Sr. This match was similar to Inoki’s bout with the younger Orton, as “The Big O.” was busted open as well. Sr. had a little more offense, scoring a nearfall after a scoop slam, and then working over Inoki’s leg with a stepover toehold. Inoki locked on his cobra twist and looked to have Orton near submission, but Bobby “The Brain” Heenan distracted referee Paul Morton. Inoki scored the pinfall after another of his vicious enzuigiris. ****

9) Red Bastien captured his first USWA singles championship, defeating Justin Credible for the Texas championship. Red showed his aerial talents early, coming off the top rope with a big dropkick and the dazzling the champ with several more dropkicks. Credible came back and executed a short power bomb out of the corner, which has brought him several victories, including winning the championship. But Bastien managed to kick out at 2 7/8. Red came back and picked up Justin on his shoulders, signaling his airplane spin into the atomic drop. As he was spinning him, Jim Cornette jumped up on the ring apron to try and distract Frank Morrell. But Red was quicker and dropped Credible into the atomic drop, which sent the champ headfirst into his own manager. Cornette flew off the apron, which brought the El Paso crowd to their feet! Red executed a second atomic drop, for good measure, then covered Credible to pick up the victory and the championship. El Paso erupted at the site of “their” new champion. **^1/2

10) Frank Gotch retained his Southern Heavyweight championship in the main event scoring a submission on Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Valentine sported a huge bandage on his head, from his bloody, controversial loss to Sabu on the last card. The two grapplers traded holds back-and-forth, showing their physical nature. Gotch executed an Iowa backdrop and went for a cover, but Valentine managed to kick out. The champ immediately applied his toehold on the challenger. Capt. Lou Albano, knowing the severity of the maneuver, got up on the apron to distract referee Jerry Calhoun. Gotch broke the hold to yell at the rotund manager. Valentine got to his feet, still feeling the effects of the Gotch Toehold, and nailed the champ from behind with a forearm shot. Gotch fell out of the ring, but managed to crawl back in by the count of eight. “The Hammer” took the action out of the ring again and executed a big body slam on the floor. It looked like Gotch might have been counted, but he again avoided a countout loss by returning to the ring by nine. The champ rallied back and again applied the toehold in the middle of the ring. Valentine could not escape and was left with no choice but to tapout. ***^1/4

I'll be back tomorrow with highlights from the WMC-TV show and the preview for Card #123!

[TDalton]

Buddy Rogers beating up George Hackenschmidt?

The sound that you're hearing is only the sound of Lou Thesz rolling in his grave. It's not the low spark of high heeled boys - that sounds different.

[Cory Olson]

tdalton said:

Buddy Rogers beating up George Hackenschmidt?

It's true, it's true!

I had to somehow spin Rogers getting DQ'd after only a minute or two. Neither guy had any pin tokens on them yet, so I figured the "Nature Boy" would be out for revenge in this case against Hack and wasn't as concerned about pinning him.

[Cory Olson]

The day after Card #122, a segment aired on USWA's Championship Wrestling show on WMC-TV with Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Bill Apter interviewed the Strangler who demonstrated how he trains his Strangler's Headlock. Lewis had his "Headlock Machine", which is a wooden head on which he applies the hold and squeezes to train his own strength. Lewis stated that by using the Headlock Machine he has perfected his hold. He feels that this hold will lead through him through the USWA ranks and towards the World Heavyweight crown. Lewis debuts on March 16 in his hometown of Louisville.

New Texas champion Red Bastien was interviewed and stated how proud he was to finally have singles gold and represent the great people of Texas. He said he will defend against anyone who feels they can take the belt from. The high flyer said that he has big goals and wants to also achieve success in the tag team ranks again. He announced that in the next month, high flyer Billy Red Lyons will debut in the USWA and he and Bastien will team up. For those unfamiliar, Lyons has competed around the world, most recently in the IWA in eastern Canada. He is a high flyer and scientific wrestler, and should be a good compliment to Bastien.

Richard Hutton, Frank Gotch, and George Hackenschmidt were also interviewed. Hutton announced that their group will be known as Team RPW--Real Pro Wrestling, because that's what the trio represents. Southern champ Gotch said although he is not a liberty to reveal details at the moment, they are currently in negotiations to bring another real wrestler in to the USWA. Gotch said he is using some of the money he won from Ted DiBiase to lure this wrestler in and compete in the USWA.

The USWA returns to action on March 9. The superstars will come home to Memphis and the Mid-South Coliseum!
*In a big return tag team match, the Road Warriors take on the Vachons! These teams have had some wild bouts. Mad Dog used a chair in their last meeting, getting him and Butcher disqualified. Who will win this tag team war?
*Two masked wrestlers meet again, as Mil Mascaras will clash with the Masked Superstar. Both men have been on a roll so far this year. Mascaras will be looking for some revenge for his partner Giant Baba. Which hooded grappler will emerge victorious?
*In a preview of sorts of the main event for Card #124, Richard Hutton and George Hackenschmidt will take on "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody. USWA officials have signed a World Tag Team title rematch for the following card in Louisville between Hutton and Frank Gotch against Snuka and Buddy Rogers. You can bet the Memphis fans will be clamoring to see the big brutes Brody and Hackenschmidt lock up again. Which team will win this epic battle?
*In a match months in the making, Buddy Rogers finally will get his hands on the man who put him out of action--Gorgeous George. The "Nature Boy" originally wanted this match at New Year's Knockout, but then George was injured by Rogers' allies Snuka and Brody. Who will win this battle of flamboyant former teammates?
*Southern Heavyweight and World Tag Team champion Frank Gotch will lock-up with the homocidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu. Sabu defeated Gotch's partner Richard Hutton and now wants the Iowan, who also was instrumental in putting the Sheik out of action. Will Sabu's insane offense gain him a win or can the Southern champ outwrestle the Bombay madman?
*The main event will be a rematch for the World Heavyweight title as Nick Bockwinkel defends the gold against Antonio Inoki. The USWA Committee has made this a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match! Inoki failed to win the belt in a challenge in January, but he was not wrestling at 100%. Since recovering, he has scored decisive wins over Bockwinkel's Heenan Family teammates the Ortons. The champ is the only one who has scored a pinfall or submission victory over Inoki in the USWA. Can a healthy Inoki win the gold or will Bockwinkel once again hold on to his crown?
All this plus "Playboy" Buddy Rose, the Ortons team up for the first time since December, and new USWA Texas champ Red Bastien takes on the ultimate underdog, Virgil!

[Tournament Master]

coryolson said:

and new USWA Texas champ Red Bastien takes on the ultimate underdog, Virgil!

So, if Virgil wins the match and the Texas title, will he include a video of you playing out the match on his newest highlight tape he brings to autograph sessions?

[Cory Olson]

Good one, Todd! Or perhaps Virg will take a photo of me holding his playing card, then he'll autograph the photo and charge $10 for it.

[Cory Olson]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Antonio Inoki captured the USWA World Heavyweight championship from Nick Bockwinkel on Card #123 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, ending Bockwinkel's 15-month reign! The Japanese superstar won the title in a five-star 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, winning the first and third falls. The champ was bleeding buckets and was basically saved by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan from losing in the second fall. Full results of this card will come soon!

[Tournament Master]

Wait a minute...Bock is allowed to lose in your fed? Atleast Tim has enough integrity to reroll the match when Bock loses in his fed.

[Cory Olson]

tournamentmaster said:

Wait a minute...Bock is allowed to lose in your fed? Atleast Tim has enough integrity to reroll the match when Bock loses in his fed.

I was starting to wonder if Bock would ever lose again. He had some "close moments" in this one, and I thought the champ would retain.

(Switching back to USWA reporting mode): one more note, USWA fans, Ed "Strangler" Lewis sat at ringside during the main event with Lance Russell and Dave Brown. He entered the ring after the match, as the Memphis fans wondered what the former NWA champ would do. Lewis extended his hand in congratulations to the new champ and Inoki accepted. The Mid-South Coliseum, already in padamonium, cheered this sign of respect between two ring greats!

[Cory Olson]

One more thing, Todd, one of your predictions from my last card reports came true.

[Tournament Master]

coryolson said:

One more thing, Todd, one of your predictions from my last card reports came true.

Virgil...the Texas champ??? I just hope that he starts coming out as Curly Joe in his West Texas Rednecks gear.

[Cory Olson]

tournamentmaster said:

Virgil...the Texas champ??? I just hope that he starts coming out as Curly Joe in his West Texas Rednecks gear.

Don't give me any ideas!

Well this card was in Memphis, so the Texas title wasn't on the line, but yes, Virgil did keep up his recent string of upsets and pinned Bastien. Although this victory was a little more controversial. This marks the second time Virgil has pinned a Texas champ, having pinned previous champ Justin Credible in January. Who'd have thought that an alliance with Danny Doring and Cousin Luke would bring old Virg' more success than being Ted DiBiase's bodyguard?

[Cory Olson]

Full results of a historical night in USWA history!

March 9, 2007
Mid-South Coliseum: Memphis, TN

1) Father and son teamed up for the first time in three months, as the Ortons defeated Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones in the opening contest. The popular underdog duo of Ware and Jones scored an upset win over the Ortons in their first time teaming in the USWA in October, but Bobby Heenan’s family duo was focused here. Special Delivery hit the elder Orton with one of his patented head butts, but only kept him down for a two-count. The Ortons used their teamwork to wear down their foes, and the “Cowboy” scored the pinfall on Jones after a superplex. **¾

2) Bobby Eaton pinned Chris Candido in a battle of two fast-paced rulebreakers. Jim Cornette was frequently involved in this bout, much to the chagrin of Candido’s valet, Tammy Sytch. At one point, Cornette distracted Candido on the arena floor, which allowed Eaton to jump Candido from behind with a big flying bulldog. Candido was almost counted out, but Sytch was able to revive him in time to beat the ten-count. Eaton came off the top with the Alabama Jam, but Sytch distracted referee Frank Morrell, preventing the pinfall. While Cornette and Sytch bickered at ringside, Eaton hit a spinning neckbreaker and scored the winning pinfall. **¼

3) Virgil kept up his recent wins, defeating new Texas champion Red Bastien in a non-title match. This win was not as “clean” as his other upsets. Bastien was in control early on, but Virgil capitalized on a mistake, when Bastien missed a charge in the corner and hit the turnbuckle hard. The former bodyguard applied the Million Dollar Dream, but Red made the ropes. Cousin Luke came down to ringside midway through the match, to cheer on his teammate. The Texas champion made a comeback and smashed Virgil with his special atomic drop. He went for a cover, but Luke got up on the apron and distracted referee Kevin Christian. Unbeknownst to Christian, Luke had dropped his “lucky” horseshoe in the ring. While Bastien went to get the hillbilly off the apron, Virgil recovered and grabbed the horseshoe. Bastien turned around and was clocked across the head with the shoe. Virgil covered the Texas champ and Christian turned around to count the three. Luke celebrated with Virgil, while Bastien sat up and glared at Virgil, with a cut on his head from the horseshoe. ***

4) Cousin Luke would be partially responsible for another upset on this card. The “Playboy’s” woes continued, as Buddy Rose was upset by “Dastardly” Danny Doring! Rose hit his Bombs Away early on, more effective with his knee brace, but for some reason, chose to administer more punishment to Doring, rather than go for a cover. Even “Sensational” Sherri Martel questioned her man’s move from ringside. Doring started fighting back and knocked the “Playboy” to the arena floor. Luke had accompanied his regular tag team partner to ringside for this match and decided to “assist” Rose, by tossing him back into the ring. Rose was surprised by this and started yelling at Luke from the ring. Meanwhile, Doring climbed up to the top rope and nailed Rose as he turned around with a big missile dropkick. He crawled on top of Rose and hooked the leg to score a surprising three-count! The Mid-South fans, who in the previous match, had booed Luke’s actions, were now cheering the Tennessee native’s as he and Doring celebrated! Perhaps, they were more happy at seeing the “Playboy” embarrassed! *

5) In a physical back-and-forth tag team encounter, the Road Warriors defeated the Vachon Brothers. After starting off with a good win-loss record in the USWA in the second half of 2006, the Vachons have yet to win a tag match in the new year. Even in losing here, however, they showed that they are a force to be reckoned with, as they came close on many occasions to putting the two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions down for the count. Butcher picked up Animal in his hangman early on, but Animal was able to break out. Still, he felt the effects of the move and the Algerian brothers were able to work him over for several minutes. Mad Dog later hit his piledriver on Hawk, but barely got a two-count and Hawk was able to quickly recover. Several pin saves were made and both “Precious” Paul Ellering and Capt. Lou Albano got involved at different points. The Legion of Doom finally picked up the win when Hawk pinned Butcher after a Doomsday Device, while Animal held off Mad Dog. ****½

6) The Masked Superstar continued his recent success, scoring somewhat of an upset over fellow masked wrestler Mil Mascaras. It looked like Mascaras was going to come out the winner, as he hit several flying body presses, one time even colliding headfirst with the Superstar and causing him to bleed through his mask. On more than one occasion, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan got involved, preventing a pinfall. The “Man of 1,000 Masks” ascended the turnbuckle again, but while Frank Morrell was checking on the downed Superstar, Heenan shook the ropes, causing Mascaras to land not so nicely on the top turnbuckle. Mascaras fell into the ring, where Superstar had recovered enough to pick him up and deliver his spinning neckbreaker, which picked up the win for the Heenan Family member. **¾

7) As a preview of sorts to the next card’s main event, one-half of the World Tag Team champions Dick Hutton and George Hackenschmidt gave Jimmy Snuka and Bruiser Brody their first loss as a team. Normally the “Superfly” starts the matches for his team, but Brody demanded to start and called out the “Russian Lion”. The Mid-South Coliseum was a rocking at the sight of these two brutes locking horns again. The two seem to know each other after only two meetings, as they traded holds back-and-forth, and even Brody showed some good mat wrestling holds. Hackenschmidt went for a twisting heel hook, which made Brody tap in January, but before he could properly apply it, Brody delivered a stiff boot to the face. He tagged in the “Superfly”, and the duo tagged in and out, working over Hackenschmidt. Eventually Hack tagged out and Hutton came in and worked over Brody. He picked up the big man into his Cowboy backbreaker, but Brody was eventually able to shift out of the maneuver. Hutton locked on the abdominal stretch, as Brody struggled for the ropes. Snuka came in, but was cut off by Hackenschmidt who took him down with a double leg. Brody seemed almost unwilling to surrender, so Hutton did as he did to defeat the Sheik and dropped him backwards into a lateral guillotine, rolling Brody’s shoulders to the mat. Hutton was able to keep Brody’s shoulders down for the 1-2-3 in an impressive win for Team RPW. **½

8) Two rivals locked up in a match that the “Nature Boy” wanted at New Year’s Knockout III. He had to wait for his revenge, but did get it, as Buddy Rogers made Gorgeous George tapout in the middle of the ring. The “Human Orchid” had control early on. He scored a near countout victory, after choking Rogers on the arena floor. Then when he crawled back in to the ring, he distracted referee Paul Morton, which allowed Cherie Dupré to slap the “Nature Boy”. Rogers did make it back into the ring, but George took advantage and applied the spinning toe hold. Rogers looked done for, but eventually made it to the ropes. Rogers somehow got fired up and made a comeback. He got George in the center of the ring and applied his leg submission—the figure-four grapevine. George tried his best, but could not make it to the ropes and ultimately had to concede. Rogers got his victory, but is this end of this feud between two former teammates? ***

9) Southern Heavyweight and World Tag Team champion Frank Gotch defeated the Bombay madman Sabu by disqualification. Kevin Christian got knocked down early in the match after Gotch ducked a flying Sabu, who instead nailed Christian with a leg lariat. Sabu took advantage, while Frank Morrell came down to take over as official. In the midst of taking out the downed Christian, Sabu hit a triple jump moonsault. He covered Gotch, but it take a moment for Morrell to notice the attempted pin and get in the ring to count. When he finally got down to make the count, Gotch kicked out at 2. Sabu looked at Morrell angrily. With the chair still set-up in the ring, Sabu attempted a second triple jump moonsault, but went to the well once too often, as Gotch rolled out of the way and Sabu crashed hard. The Southern champ applied the Gotch Toehold, as the Memphis fans were definitely on his side. Sabu tapped, but Abdullah Farouk had distracted Morrell, preventing him from seeing the tapout. A few minutes later, Sabu went into his sadistic uncle the Sheik’s playbook and pulled out some type of sharp object. He started jabbing away at Gotch with it. Unfortunately he hasn’t mastered his uncle’s “sneakiness”, as Morrell noticed the object and immediately called for the bell. Sabu continued to jab away, but Gotch’s Team RPW teammates Dick Hutton and George Hackenschmidt came down to ringside. Sabu and Farouk left the ringside area, as Hutton and Hackenschmidt tended to Gotch. **½

10) The main event was a historic bout, as Nick Bockwinkel put his USWA World Heavyweight championship on the line once again against Antonio Inoki in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match. Ed “Strangler” Lewis, who will debut next week in his hometown of Louisville and has made it perfectly clear that he wants a title shot, sat ringside at the announcers’ table with Lance Russell and Dave Brown. The first fall started off with some great, scientific wrestling, with both grapplers trading holds. The action picked up and saw Inoki control most of the action. Bockwinkel did manage to apply his version of the sleeper in this fall, but the challenger was able to grab the ropes before the hold would have put him out. Inoki came back and hit an enzuigri, and also applied a cobra twist. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan jumped up on the apron, which caused Inoki to release the hold. He went back to the submissions and applied his octopus finisher, but Bockwinkel reached the ropes. The Japanese superstar came off the top rope with a stiff stomp to the champ’s face, busting him open. He picked Bockwinkel up and again locked him in the octopus hold, which led to a submission and gave the challenger the first fall.

The second fall saw the challenger continue his assault, knowing he had the lead in falls. He executed another enzuigiri as well as the octopus, but “The Brain” kept providing distractions to give his man more time. The plan worked, as Inoki went up to the top rope and came off with a double sledge, but the champ had recovered and sidestepped his foe. He immediately got behind Inoki and clamped on the sleeper again. Perhaps the missed leap and the sudden application of the hold took the challenger off his game. Referee Jerry Calhoun checked Inoki’s arm and it dropped three times, giving the champion the second fall and evening things up. Calhoun woke Inoki up during the rest period and the third fall began.

Inoki showed that the rest period was good as he resumed his mission towards the gold. He came off the top rope and landed a successful knee drop. He then applied a bow and arrow submission on the champion in the middle of the ring. The Mid-South Coliseum chanted Inoki’s name, as he had the champ trapped and bloody. After about thirty seconds Bockwinkel finally gave in and Calhoun called for the bell, giving Inoki the third fall, the match, and the World Heavyweight championship! The Coliseum exploded in cheers as Calhoun presented Inoki with the belt. Several fan favorites filled the ring, carrying the new champ on their shoulders. The Memphis fans reacted to Inoki like he was their own countryman, as they chanted along with Inoki’s trademark, “Ichi, ni, san, da!” phrase. The Masked Superstar and the Ortons came down to ringside to help Heenan get the bloody Bock to the locker room. “Strangler” Lewis arose from his seat at ringside and entered the ring. Fans quieted down, knowing what “Strangler” did the last time he was in the ring with a USWA champ. But Lewis offered his hand in congratulations to Inoki and the two grapplers shook in a great sign of respect! *****


Check back later in the week for a recap of USWA Championship Wrestling from WMC-TV the day after this card, plus a preview of the next USWA card, coming from Louisville!

[TDalton]

tournamentmaster said:

Wait a minute...Bock is allowed to lose in your fed? Atleast Tim has enough integrity to reroll the match when Bock loses in his fed.

I don't really re-roll. I just use a die with 5's and 6's on it whenever he is on offense. Between Nick Bockwinkel (boo!) and The Sheik, I've had two of the longer title runs in my history with COTG/LOW.

Is Virgil protesting that he should be the new Texas Champion? The matches were right down the street from a country western bar - I think that counts.

[Cory Olson]

tdalton said:

I don't really re-roll. I just use a die with 5's and 6's on it whenever he is on offense. Between Nick Bockwinkel (boo!) and The Sheik, I've had two of the longer title runs in my history with COTG/LOW.

Bockwinkel's been the same for me. It's unreal how long he's held the belt both times. Sheik had a good unbeaten streak for me until Hutton and Gotch put him out. I'll be interested to see how he does when he returns.

tdalton said:

Is Virgil protesting that he should be the new Texas Champion? The matches were right down the street from a country western bar - I think that counts.

Stay tuned for the next recap of the TV show, but Virgil will have something to say (or perhaps not say, since he's often silent) about the Texas gold.

[blueraider2]

sounds like a fun card cory.

[Cory Olson]

Some highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on WMC-TV the day after Card #123:

*The Heenan Family was interviewd by Bill Apter. "The Brain" announced some good news for the Family, as he had challenged Frank Gotch to put the Southern Heavyweight title on the line against the Masked Superstar on March 23 in Cookeville, TN. Heenan announced that Gotch accepted the challenge and the USWA Committee signed the match, based partly on Superstar's recent wins over wrestlers like Giant Baba and Mil Mascaras. Apter interviewed now former World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel, still dressed in a fine suit as always, but this time with no belt and his head heavily bandaged from his title loss to Antonio Inoki. Bockwinkel said he felt like he had lost everything now that he was without his title. He said that he is not conceding and giving up; he will get a rematch with Inoki and will win back his championship. He said if he has to prove his supremacy again by defeating every wrestler in the USWA to get a shot, he will do it.
*Lance Russell interviewed the interesting trio of Danny Doring, Cousin Luke, and Virgil. Doring made a challenge as well, on behalf of the quiet Virgil. He said that since Virg' has defeated not one, but two Texas champions in non-title matches, he should naturally be entitled to a championship match. Doring issued a challenge to Red Bastien for April at the USWA's next venture into Texas: card #127 in San Antonio. Bastien was not present at the WMC-TV studios for a response.
*Looking ahead two weeks to the USWA card in Cookeville, another match was officially announced as "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers will battle "Playboy" Buddy Rose for the first in a one-on-one match. Rogers said that after his victory over Gorgeous George, defeating the "Doughboy" (his words) will be a cakewalk. Rose responded saying his recent losses to Virgil and Danny Doring were due to "problems" in his medically reconstructed knee. He said he plans to return to the Mayo Clinic this week for a check-up with Dr. Mike Lano, but will be ready for the "Nature Boy" on the 23rd.
*The new World Heavyweight champion Antonio Inoki appeared in the studios as well. Inoki's interpreter thanked the USWA fans for their great support. He said that he will battle any wrestler from anywhere in the world. Inoki said that he still plans to wrestle in his scheduled tag team match on the next card (see Card #124 preview below).

After the historic Memphis card, the USWA will return to the Louisville Gardens on the 16th for the first time since New Year's Knockout III! And this card will be a big one as well!
*Bruiser Brody and George Hackenschmidt hope to settle their score once and for all. Hackenschmidt now holds two victories over Brody, with the second being a controversial countout decision. Can Brody finally get a win over "The Russian Lion"?
*Speaking on controversial wins, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine wants to avenge his blood stoppage loss to Sabu from Nashville. These two will lock-up again in Louisville. Who will win this violent war?
*"Loverboy" Dennis Condrey returns to action in the same city where he was injured. The Midnight Express will do battle with the Road Warriors. Can Condrey and Bobby Eaton get some revenge and gain a win on the Legion of Doom?
*Ed "Strangler" Lewis will make his long-awaited debut in his hometown. The former NWA World Heayvweight champion will take on Chris Candido in his first USWA match. Rumor has it that Nick Bockwinkel will be present to watch this match. Can Strangler headlock his way to a victory in his hometown?
*In the first of a double main event, new USWA World Heavyweight champion Antonio Inoki will team with the returning Giant Baba will do battle with the Ortons! This match was originally scheduled for New Year's Knockout III, but Bob Sr. was injured by the Japanese duo and replaced by the Masked Superstar. With the World champion in this match, there is more incentive for the Ortons to win. Who will emerge victorious in this tag team battle?
*The other main event will be a rematch for the USWA World Tag Team championship as Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton defend against "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka and the "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. Snuka and Rogers appeared to have had the belts won last month when George Hackenschmidt got invovled. Can the popular duo finally win the belts or will Team RPW reign supreme?
All this plus Mil Mascaras takes on Gorgeous George, Texas champ Red Bastien in action and more!

[Cory Olson]

March 16, 2007
Card #124: Louisville Gardens

1) Danny Doring and Cousin Luke defeated rivals Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones in what was a surprisingly great opener. This was a back-and-forth match between the two teams, which lasted over 20 minutes. All four participants scored nearfalls on their enemies. At one point, Luke almost collided with referee Frank Morrell, but stopped short, only to get blasted in the face by a dropkick from the “Birdman” when he turned around. The big kick busted Luke open. Koko went for a cover, but Virgil distracted Morrell. The distraction helped, as Luke was able to mount a comeback. A few minutes later, Luke scored the pinfall on Special Delivery after a big mule kick. ****½

2) Justin Credible bounced back from his loss of the USWA Texas championship to score a big win over Mad Dog Vachon in a short brawl. Both brawlers utilized their versions of the piledrivers during the match, but couldn’t keep the other down. To no surprise, managers Jim Cornette and Capt. Lou Albano got involved to help their men. The fans were split between the two wrestlers, although Credible got a few more cheers, probably due to his manager being a Louisville native (although normally, that doesn’t do Cornette any favors!) While referee Kevin Christian was distracted by the managers arguing on the floor, Credible brought the Singapore Cane into the ring for actually the third time and cracked Mad Dog over the head with it. Christian turned around to count the three. This was actually Mad Dog’s first pinfall or submission loss so far in the USWA, as his brother has been the one beaten in tag team matches. ***

3) Butcher Vachon would have more success, as he scored a big and fast non-title win over Texas champion Red Bastien. Vachon did receive some assistance as Virgil made another appearance and attacked the Lone Star State champ at ringside, while Butcher had referee Tommy Gilbert tied-up in the ring (not literally of course!) Virgil dropped Bastien throat-first across the guard railing, then tossed him back into the ring. The attack left Bastien easy prey for Butcher’s hangman submission. Bastien quickly gave in, due to the damage in being dropped across the railing. DUD

4) Two colorful characters collided as Mil Mascaras scored a decisive win over Gorgeous George. Tonight was not the “Human Orchid’s” night. The luchador dominated most of the action here and picked up the victory after only a few minutes with a beautiful flying body press. This was one of Mascaras’ biggest USWA wins to-date, pinning a three-time Southern Heavyweight champion. ½*

5) The “Russian Lion” appears to be Bruiser Brody’s biggest obstacle towards a World Heavyweight title shot. George Hackenschmidt picked up his second submission win over the New Mexican madman here in Louisville. Hack applied the Russian Bear Hug early on, but Brody battle his way out of it. Hack shot in a big single leg takedown and quickly positioned into a half nelson cover, but Brody kicked out. Brody showed his power by body slamming Hackenschmidt with one hand. He went for a cover, but couldn’t keep the “Russian Lion” down. Hackenschmidt came back and again applied the bear hug. He squeezed the air out of Brody. Kevin Christian raised Brody’s arm three times and each time it dropped, giving Hackenschmidt the victory. *¾

6) Greg “The Hammer” Valentine gained a measure of revenge, bloodying up Sabu and pinning the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal maniac. Valentine focused much of his attack on Sabu’s neck, executing several piledrivers and coming off the top rope with elbow smashes to the back of Sabu’s neck, which was draped over the rope. A patented elbow hammer would bust Sabu open. Sabu tried several triple jump moonsaults throughout the match, but couldn’t hit his mark. He did land one perfect moonsault, but Capt. Lou Albano distracted Tommy Gilbert. “The Hammer” picked up Sabu and crushed him with a big shoulder breaker. The move would put Sabu down for the three-count. This time Sabu would be the one leaving the ring covered in blood, but the decision was clear cut in this one. ***

7) “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey returned to the ring in the same building he was injured in at New Year’s Knockout III. But at the end of this match, it seemed like he disappeared again, as he and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton (along with Jim Cornette and Justin Credible) returned to the locker room and took a countout loss to the Road Warriors. The Midnights had the advantage early in the match, as they executed their Midnight Massacre on Animal. Condrey went for a cover, but Hawk made the save. The big Animal regained control and the Legion of Doom hit two Doomsday Devices on “Beautiful” Bobby, but the Alabama native was saved first by “Loverboy” Dennis and then by a distraction from Cornette. Hawk knocked Condrey out of the ring with a big clothesline, right in front of Cornette and Credible. Rather than try to get back in, the crew decided they’d live to fight another day and retreated back to the locker room, much to the anger of Cornette’s hometown crowd. The Warriors won the match via countout, but you can bet this one isn’t over! ***¼

8) Ed “Strangler” Lewis received a definite hometown hero reaction in his USWA debut. It looked like at first Chris Candido was going to ruin things and score a big win, but it took only one move to put down the blonde bombshell. Former USWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan sat ringside at the announcers’ table with Lance Russell and Dave Brown. Candido realized whom he was fighting and went on the offense early, using his more aerial, fast-paced arsenal to work over Lewis. Candido actually was able to successfully hit two Blonde Bombs on the “Strangler”, but Lewis kicked out on both occasions. Candido took the match to the floor and executed a vertical suplex on the arena floor, dropping Lewis near where Bockwinkel and Heenan were sitting. It looked like Lewis would get counted out, but he managed to crawl back in at the count of nine. The Louisville fans wouldn’t give up on their man, as they cheered him on. It must have helped, as the “Strangler” mounted a comeback. Out of nowhere, he locked Candido in a bear hug, then took him down to the mat. From there, he switched over and applied his Strangler’s Headlock, which brought the Gardens to its feet! Just as suddenly as Lewis applied the hold, Candido tapped out from its immense pressure. The Gardens erupted as Lewis celebrated his debut win. The “Strangler” and Bockwinkel had a staredown after the match, but did not come to blows. *

9) In the first of the double main event, new World Heavyweight champion Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba defeated the Ortons in a match-up months in the making. This one was off-the-charts. Baba showed very little effects of his attack from the “Cowboy” and the Masked Superstar that took place a few weeks ago. He scored nearfalls in the opening minutes on both Ortons and even executed an amazing dropkick on the “Cowboy” which rocked the Gardens! The new World champ also got the crowd excited when he locked the younger Orton in the bow and arrow, since the crowd had seen the footage of Inoki capturing the championship with this move. Orton managed to roll out of the move. Baba busted Junior open, but the “Cowboy” made a comeback. He threw Inoki to the arena floor, then leapt off the top rope to the floor and smashed the champ with a falling sledge. Inoki was almost counted out, but managed to beat the count. A piledriver from the “Big O.” would cause Inoki to wear the “crimson mask” as well, but couldn’t put him down for the three. Baba came back and hit two dreaded neckbreaker drops on Senior, but Bobby “The Brain” Heenan would distract Paul Morton, giving Orton time to recover. The World champ came back in and made Orton, Sr. the third man in the match to bleed after delivering a big knee drop off the top rope directly to the head. The champ locked Orton in his octopus hold. “The Brain” attempted to climb in the ring, but Baba, who had taken down the “Cowboy”, cut Heenan off and nailed him with a big chop! Inoki released the hold and allowed his partner to finish things off. Baba hit another neckbreaker drop on the “Big O.” and put him down the 1-2-3 in an awesome match! ****¾

10) The other main event saw the second title change this month, as “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers finally captured the USWA World Tag Team championship defeating Dick Hutton and Southern Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch. Snuka landed a big Superfly Leap on Gotch early on, but couldn’t keep Gotch down. The Southern champ was kept in the ring for the first few minutes of the bout, until Hutton finally tagged in. The Oklahoman locked Rogers in the abdominal stretch. After close to a minute, Rogers was able to get to the ropes. Gotch tagged in and took down the “Nature Boy” with a ¾ nelson, rolling Rogers shoulders onto the mat and into a pinning combination, but Rogers kicked out. The “Superfly” tagged back in and nailed another of his splashes, landing right across Gotch’s nose and drawing blood. A flying head butt from Snuka and a falling sledge from the top rope from Rogers would cause the blood to flow even more. But the “Nature Boy” would soon see red as well, when Hutton locked him in the abdominal stretch again and nail him with stiff forearm shots across the face. It looked like Rogers would concede, but Snuka jumped in the ring to break up the hold. The end came when it was Rogers and Gotch. With both grapplers covered in blood, Rogers applied his figure-four grapevine on the Southern champ in the middle of the ring. Hutton tried to break up the hold but was met with a flying chop from the “Superfly”. Gotch tapped out and the Garden erupted, as new tag champs were crowned! *****