On Friday, May 16, 2008 at 6:12 PM EST
GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 05/16/2008
NEWS
In a special episode of Peach State Pandemonium, we have comments from Jody Hamilton, Les Thatcher, and Bobby Simmons, discussing Leo Garibaldi and Penny Banner. Click here for the archive. PSP will feature the Heartbreak Express’ Sean Davis, Murder One, and Independent Wrestling Network owner Dwayne Bell on May 17 at 11:00 AM ET. Feel free to call in at (347) 324-5735. Larry Goodman will handle co-hosting duties, and Tim Dix will provide additional commentary. This will be our final show until June. (Rich Tate)
The Independent Wrestling Network returns to Columbus, GA, tonight. The Fishcrow Arena has been renamed the IWN Arena. Bell time is 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30. Advertised: Ron Stalker defends the IWN Heavyweight Title against Raunchy; A.J. Steele versus Mr. Hughes; Jason Cross versus Chris Stevens; Rob Adonis versus Iceberg Slim; Melissa Coates versus Sumi; and Thomas Britain & Simon Sermon versus the Slaughter Pitt. (Rich Tate)
Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Hokes Bluff, AL, tonight at the Championship Arena, located at 10351 US Highway 278, beginning at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30. All front row seats are $7. General admission is $6, and kids get in for $4. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Tommy Rich versus Bulldog Raines; Bambi defends the SECW Women’s Title against Lady X; and Frankie Valentine, Chris Lightning & TDC versus Josh Stone, Tyler Smith & the Inferno. (Rich Tate)
Showtime All-Star Wrestling returns to the Bakery in Millersville, TN, tonight. Advertised: Rick Santel versus the Indian Outlaw. Also advertised are Damien Adams, Kid Kash, Chrisjen Hayme, Frank Malone, Gary Valiant, Miss Boogie, Arrick Andrews, Sean Casey, and Cassidy Riley. (Rich Tate)
The United States Wrestling Organization will be at the Stadium Inn in Nashville, TN, tonight. Advertised: Chris Michaels defends the USWO Heavyweight Title against Mark Anthony, with Charming Charles; Quinton Quarisma & Gigolo Jay defend the USWO Tag Team Title against Damien Payne & L.T. Falk; Tim Renesto, with Charming Charles, puts up $500 to whoever answers the challenge; Seven versus the New York Gangster; Steven Green versus J.C. Crowe; and a three-way match for the USWO Junior Heavyweight Title featuring Lee Cross, Shane Smalls, and Justin Spade. (Rich Tate)
DISCLAIMER: GWH is not liable for any card changes, cancellations, etc. We can only report what is reported to us. As always, we suggest you check with the promotion within 24 hours to verify information posted here.
NOTES
Click here for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling. (Rich Tate)
GWH wishes a happy birthday to Charles Wright, who turns 47 today.
Today in Memoriam: Emile Czaja (61, 1970), Andy Kaufman (35, 1984), Little Coco (40, 1993), Shoichi Arai (36, 2002), and Dick Dudley (34, 2002)
NOSTALGIA
MAY 16, 1932 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – SUNNYDALE ARENA (C.S. Lippard – Promoter) > Lew Epting defeated Young Jordan > Jackie Nichols defeated Swede Hanson > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Jack Ross* defeated Bearcat Jones / Notes: Jack Ross had been billed as the Southern Lightweight Champion since May 2, 1932.
MAY 16, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Milo Steinborn defeated George Zaharias
MAY 16, 1933 (TUESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – MUNICIPAL STADIUM (W.K. Carswell – Promoter) > Inman Rabon defeated Young Speer > Fred Furlong defeated Charlie Fairbrother > Dick Lever defeated Cleve Walsh > Jim Achlin defeated Jack Ross
MAY 16, 1934 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – CENTER HILL ARENA (J.E. McKee – Promoter) Notes: A scheduled card for this date was postponed due to rain and rescheduled for May 23, 1934.
MAY 16, 1935 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Nat Jones – Promoter) > Leon Fuller versus Foy Rivers > John Dameron versus Totem Pole Anderson > Bob Anderson versus Whitey Patterson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.
MAY 16, 1939 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Young Stecher defeated Joe Corbett > Alf Johnson defeated Abe Yourist > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Dorv Roche by disqualification
MAY 16, 1945 (WEDNESDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Babe Zaharias and Tarzan White wrestled to a draw at 60:00 > Roland Kirchmeyer defeated Jack Dillon > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Stanley Wyckoff
MAY 16, 1947 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Carter and Leo Savage wrestled to a draw > Jim Coffield versus Carlos Rodriguez > Tom Mahoney & Rudy Strongberg versus Nick Carter & Al Massey > Don McIntyre defeated Strangler Lewis by disqualification / Notes: Tom Mahoney & Rudy Strongberg and Nick Carter & Al Massey were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Jim Coffield and Carlos Rodriguez, but no results were reported after the card.
MAY 16, 1952 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Millie Stafford defeated Mars Bennett > Danny Dusek defeated Angelo Martinelli > Doran O’Hara and Wally Dusek wrestled to a draw > Jack McDonald defeated Kola Kwariani > Argentina Rocca defeated Don McIntyre
MAY 16, 1953 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Carter versus Danny Dusek > Carlos Guzman versus Tex Riley > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Don McIntyre* versus Henry Harrell > Art Nelson versus Argentina Rocca / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Don McIntyre had been billed as Southern Heavyweight Champion since March 16, 1953. Although not mentioned, Kola Kwariani was likely in attendance, as he was charged with traveling with Argentina Rocca as a troubleshooter for him.
MAY 16, 1955 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charro Azteca defeated Ace Freeman > Bob Cummings defeated Andre Drapp > Dizzy Davis defeated Jerry Graham (2-0)
MAY 16, 1955 (MONDAY) – VALDOSTA, GA – VALDOSTA LIVESTOCK ARENA (Gordon Walker – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ivan Petroff versus Tarzan White > Doran O'Hara versus Tokyo Joe / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.
MAY 16, 1956 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Dick Raines & Lou Plummer and Jack Bence & Rocky Columbo wrestled to a draw > Jerry Graham defeated Chief Big Heart > Jack Bence defeated Lou Plummer > North American Heavyweight Title Match: Danny McShain* versus Don McIntyre ruled a no contest / Notes: It was reported that 3,000 were in attendance for this card. The origin of the North American Heavyweight Title is unclear to us at this time. It seems as though Danny McShain was billed as such upon arrival. The decision in the match between McShain and Don McIntyre caused the title to be held up pending a rematch on May 23, 1956.
MAY 16, 1958 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ronnie Etchison and the Jungle Boy wrestled to a draw > Women’s Match: Nell Stewart defeated Corinne Cordero > Ray Gunkel defeated Angelo Poffo > Southern Heavyweight Title versus Mask Match (No DQ): Don McIntyre* versus the Mighty Yankee wrestled to a draw / Notes: Don McIntyre had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated the Mighty Yankee on April 25, 1958, in Atlanta. Bronko Lubich managed Angelo Poffo. Charlie Harben was credited as being a referee on this card. The program we have for this card features a photo of artist Dimitri Vail painting a portrait of the posing Ray Gunkel. It was announced that Don Lee, Dick the Bruiser, Farmer Powell, and Yukon Eric would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.
MAY 16, 1961 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Guy Mitchell defeated Tiny Evans > Ronnie Hill & Guy Mitchell defeated Jim Burke & Tiny Evans by disqualification > Bob Rasmussen and Gypsy Joe wrestled to a draw
MAY 16, 1962 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Lenny Montana defeated Mark Stone > Dick Steinborn defeated Jim Wright > US Tag Team Title Match: the Assassins* and Andre Drapp & Chief Little Eagle wrestled to a draw at 60:00 / Notes: The Assassins had been billed as US Tag Team Champions since May 15, 1962.
MAY 16, 1964 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Buddy Fuller versus Red Steiner > Sputnik Monroe versus Chief Little Bear > Ray Gunkel & Tex Riley defeated Saul Weingeroff & Kurt Von Brauner / Notes: Aside from the match between Ray Gunkel & Tex Riley and Saul Weingeroff & Kurt Von Brauner, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.
MAY 16, 1967 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Kozak and Bobby Graham wrestled to a draw > Corsica Jean defeated Dale Jones > Women’s Match: Cora Combs defeated Mae Goodner > US Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Louie Tillet* defeated Dennis Hall / Notes: Louie Tillet had been the reigning US Junior Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bobby Hart on January 17, 1967, in Macon.
MAY 16, 1969 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo defeated Skandor Akbar > Los Toros defeated Dennis Hall & Silento Rodriguez > The Kentuckians and the Professional & the Spoiler wrestled to a draw > El Mongol defeated Paul DeMarco > World Tag Team Title Match: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller* defeated the Assassins > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Professional defeated El Mongol* to win title / Notes: Lou Thesz was the special referee for both the match between El Mongol and Paul DeMarco and the match with the Professional and El Mongol. Mongol had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Assassin #1 on April 18, 1969, in Atlanta. The Spoiler was the special referee for both the match between Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller and the Assassins. Prior to the match, the Spoiler unmasked to prove he was indeed Mike Davis, who had been forced to unmask on April 11, 1969. Gunkel & Fuller had been the reigning World Tag Team Champions since they defeated the Assassins on March 29, 1969, in Atlanta. The program for this card featured an article titled “How I Became Champ”, reportedly written by Dory Funk, Jr., an “Open Letter to a New Champion from an Ex Champion”, reportedly written by Thesz, and another short item reportedly written by Eddie Graham, titled “Dory Will Be a Great Champion”.
MAY 16, 1970 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Challenger defeated George Harris > Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated Karl Von Stroheim & Professor Kimura > Assassin #1 defeated Bad Boy Hines / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. Following the match between Alberto & Ramon Torres and Karl Von Stroheim & Professor Kimura, Kimura and Von Stroheim nearly came to blows. Homer O’Dell managed Kimura & Von Stroheim.
MAY 16, 1972 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bepo Mongol & Mr. X defeated Tim Geohagen & John Sullivan > Oki Shikina defeated Mike Burns > Dick Steinborn and Buddy Colt wrestled to a draw at 45:00 > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Bob Armstrong & Koa Tiki defeated the Assassins* by disqualification / Notes: Assassin #1 managed Bepo Mongol. The Assassins were disqualified in their match against Bob Armstrong & Koa Tiki when Assassin #1 entered the ring illegally and dropkicked Tiki, keeping him from removing the mask of Assassin #2. The Assassins had been the reigning Macon Tag Team Champions since they defeated Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong May 9, 1972, in Macon.
MAY 16, 1973 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Derrell Cochran versus Frank Martinez > Otto Von Heller versus Bob Orton, Jr. > Bill White & Billy Spears versus Jerry Oates & Tiger Conway, Jr. > Bill Dromo, Jack Brisco, & Mr. Wrestling #2 versus Bobby Duncum & the Super Infernos > Bob Armstrong versus Bill Watts / Notes: J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.
MAY 16, 1975 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ricky Gibson and Bob Orton, Jr., wrestled to a draw > Jerry Lawler defeated Tommy Gilbert > Jerry Brisco defeated Billy Spears > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller* defeated the Outlaws > Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Toru Tanaka > Dory Funk, Jr., versus Abdullah the Butcher / Notes: Dory Funk, Jr., and Abdullah the Butcher were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Rock Hunter managed Toru Tanaka and Abdullah the Butcher.
MAY 16, 1977 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roberto Soto defeated Bill Howard > Abe Jacobs defeated Charlie Fulton > Waldo Von Erich defeated Don Kernodle > Thunderbolt Patterson & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole & Gene Anderson by disqualification > Dick Slater defeated Mr. Wrestling #2
MAY 16, 1978 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve Regal and the French Angel wrestled to a draw > Helmut Schmidt defeated Doug Gilbert > Rocky Johnson defeated Bobby Duncum > 1,000 Silver Dollar Match: Ole Anderson and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a draw > Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes defeated Rock Hunter & Abdullah the Butcher / Notes: The French Angel substituted for Wolfgang Schmidt in the match with Steve Regal. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher and Helmut Schmidt.
MAY 16, 1979 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Kurt Von Hess versus Genichiro Tenryu > Bill Howard versus Norvel Austin > Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich versus Ron Bass & Eddy Mansfield > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* versus Wahoo McDaniel > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff* versus Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass.
MAY 16, 1982 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ted DiBiase defeated Bill White > Tom Prichard defeated Bobby Garrett > Brad Armstrong defeated Chick Donovan > Michael Hayes, Mr. Wrestling #2 & El Mongol defeated Ray Stevens, the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer > Kevin Sullivan defeated Buzz Sawyer > Bob Armstrong defeated Gary Hart > Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson & Roddy Piper > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Ric Flair* defeated Leroy Brown by disqualification / Notes: The Great Kabuki was barred from ringside during the match between Bob Armstrong and Gary Hart.
MAY 16, 1983 (MONDAY) – CANTON, OH – CANTON CIVIC CENTER (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Roop defeated Brett Wayne > Ron Garvin defeated Killer Brooks > The Iron Sheik defeated Brian Blair > Destruction, Inc., defeated Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff by disqualification > Tony Atlas defeated Larry Zbyszko > Dick Murdoch defeated Buzz Sawyer / Notes: Paul Ellering managed the Iron Sheik and Destruction, Inc.
MAY 16, 1984 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jake Roberts defeated Dale Veasey > Ron Garvin defeated Ted DiBiase > Les Thornton versus Tim Horner ruled a no contest > King Kong Bundy & King Konga defeated the Road Warriors > Brad Armstrong defeated the Spoiler / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, Ted DiBiase, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.
– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com
CHIKARA sent this in:
See CHIKARA's "Rey de Voladores" and get WWE's "Judgment Day" for free!
This weekend, CHIKARA will present 8 of the world's finest high-flying wrestlers in a mini-tournament we call "Rey de Voladores" (that's Spanish for "King of Flyers")! Speaking of Flyers - the Philadelphia Flyers will also be in action on May 18, and we'll have the Sunday game playing on our big screen right up until belltime - with results and updates throughout our event, so you won't have to miss out on a thing!
"Rey de Voladores" matches will take place at our first two events in the month of May - that's May 17 in Hellertown and May 18 in Philadelphia. Fans that purchase a ticket to our May 18 card can stay at the Alhambra after the show to watch WWE pay-per-view event "Judgment Day" at no extra cost! Ya can't beat that!
The eight participants in "Rey de Voladores" are:
-Sonjay Dutt, from TNA's X-Division
-Psycho, of the Kaientai Dojo, makes his U.S. debut
-Lince Dorado, one-third of the 2008 King of Trios
-Helios, our reigning Young Lions Cup champion
-TJ Cannon, a relative unknown, but snappy dresser
-Incognito, one-third of the 2008 King of Trios
-Stupified, the frequent partner of Player Uno
-Turboman, of Dragon Gate, known as "Turbo" in Mexico
The May 18 card will feature 10 bouts, including:
~Rey de Voladores Tournament Final~
??? vs. ???
~Tag Team Championships on the Line~
Incoherence (Hallowicked & Delirious) vs. The Osirian Portal (Ophidian & Amasis)
~Trios Action~
The Colony vs. The Fabulous Three (Larry Sweeney, Shayne Hawke & Mitch Ryder)
~Mixed Tag Match~
Sara Del Rey & Bobby Dempsey vs. Daizee Haze & Chuck Taylor
~Mystery Partners Announced the Day of the Event~
Claudio Castagnoli & El Pantera & ??? vs.
Mike Quackenbush & Jorge "Skayde" Rivera & ???
~Mis-Match of the Decade~
Pelle Primeau vs. Brodie Lee
Be sure to drop by our online mothership www.chikarapro.com on a daily basis, as we announce the rookies taking part in our 6th annual Young Lions Cup!
Our pals over at Smart Mark Video have released our two April events on DVD! Head over there to get your hands on them right now!
Advance tickets for our next 7 live events, including Young Lions Cup VI are on sale right now! Visit our online store and pick up your copy of the first issue of the CHIKARA comic book (Season 7, Volume 1)! This weekend, fans at our live events will get the first chance to scoop up Volume 2! Special thanks to our advertisers Big Vision Entertainment, KaristChai and the New Alhambra Arena!
"Café Culture"
5.17.2008 - Saturday Evening
Live @ The American Legion Hall!
935 Main Street
in Hellertown, PA!
The action begins at 7:30 pm!
"Grit and Glory"
5.18.2008 - Sunday Afternoon
Live @ The New Alhambra (formerly ECW Arena)!
7 W. Ritner Street
in southern Philadelphia, PA!
The action begins at 4:00 pm!
Stay & watch WWE's "Judgment Day" for free after the show!
"Aniversarioma!"
5.23.2008 - Friday Evening
Live @ The Framingham Civic League!
214 Concord Street
in Framingham, MA (01702)!
The action begins at 7:30 pm!
"Aniversarioct!"
5.24.2008 - Saturday Evening
Live @ The Knights of Columbus Hall!
279 Quinnipiac Street
in Wallingford, CT (06492)!
The action begins at 7:30 pm!
Our homebase: http://www.chikarapro.com - In Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese and now French!
For our free, weekly video podcast: http://www.chikarapodcast.com
Join our official fan club: http://www.chikarmy.com
On MySpace! http://www.myspace.com/chikarapro
Larry Goodman sent this in:
Michael St. John and matchmaker Reno Riggins previewed the upcoming hour featuring the debut of Frank Malone and Rick Santel vs. Indian Outlaw in the main event. Color commentator Jack Johnson was conspicuous by his absence.
A new opening montage rolled.
(1) Frank Malone (with Cody Malone) beat Jeff Jamison via submission in 1:18. Malone is a big guy dressed in overalls of the type a prisoner might wear –think a hairless version of Kevin Kelly as Nailz in WWF. Malone overpowered Jamison, no sold his blows, and gave him a hotshot, before applying a version of the cobra clutch. Malone put an unidentified something in Jamison’s hand.
St. John attempted to ask Malone about his background. Malone was shooting daggers. “Don’t worry about my past,” he said, and walked away.
St. John and Riggins introduced a video package on the history between Rob Roy McCoy and the SAW Television Champion, Damien Adams. Riggins said their feud demonstrated the international flavor of SAW – McCoy being from Scotland and Adams from Puerto Rico.
(2) Rob Roy McCoy beat Chris Bomb via submission in 3:40. Riggins said McCoy has the look of a young Paul Orndorff and the wrestling style of 70s Welsh star, Tony Charles. St. John added McCoy had the temperament of Roddy Piper. McCoy got pissed after Bomb won the opening lock up and turned it into a brawl. Aggressiveness led to miscues on both sides. Bomb ate a boot charging in and McCoy hit a flying lariat to take over. McCoy dished out punishment on the mat. Bomb worked his way free, but McCoy cut him off with an impressive standing dropkick for a near fall. Bomb got his comeback with pillar to post Irish whips, then ended up comatose on the mat after running into a superkick. McCoy laid him out again with a hangman neckbreaker. McCoy waited for his prey to rise and locked in the crossface chickenwing. St. John called it a version of the Crippler Crossface. Bomb was out cold.
McCoy reapplied the hold until a slew of SAW personnel got in his face including Commissioner Freddie Morton.
St John interviewed McCoy.
Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light that Rob Roy McCoy is going to be the next television champion.
St. John reminded McCoy that title challengers were selected by random drawings. McCoy said he didn’t know anything about random. “Rob Roy McCoy is winning week after week, cutting through everybody. I want my title shot.”
(3) Chrisjen Hayme pinned Chris Eckos with the 450 Proof in 5:10. Reno said Hayme was an arrogant SOB. He said neither guy was going to overpower people. It was their speed that impressed him as a matchmaker. Eckos capped off a flurry of offense with a leg lariat for a two count. Hayme countered out of a swinging neckbreaker with a loud enzuirgiri. Reno said it might be over. Riggins said Eckos showed heart by kicking out. Hayme’s snooty attitude became more apparent and his attack more blatantly heelish. They talked about Hayme as a potential title challenger, but said it was the luck of the draw. Reno said SAW was all about parity. Eckos countered a sunset flip with a double stomp, but Hayme immediately got his knees up on Eckos’ senton backsplash attempt. Hayme picked up his intensity. Hayme hit a beautiful northern light suplex with a bridge. Hayme started talking and smacking Eckos in the face. St. John said Hayme was getting too lackadaisical. Eckos surprised Hayme with a back elbow for a quick two count. Eckos hit a downward spiral and followed up with quebrada, but Hayme kicked out. Hayme set up his finisher with a so-so Blue Thunder Bomb and hit the 450 splash.
A highlight package aired on the war between the A Team (Santel, Hammerjack, Matt Dillinger with Paul Adams) and Boogie Nation (Boogie Woogie Boy, Arrick Andrews and Indian Nation).
They cut to comments the A Team made for the SAW cameras.
The A Team was in a limo celebrating the Tennessee Violence Authority becoming the SAW tag team champions. Hammerjack had a photo of another highly creative female on his cell phone. The cigar fell out of Adams’ mouth and into his drink. “She shouldn’t be doing that with fresh produce.” Dillinger said it looked like a cucumber. “It looks like a pickle now,” said Hammerjack. Santel chimed in. “I used to date her, too. I forgot she could do that.” Paul said they were going to get some ladies. “We going to Dickerson Pike?” said Dillinger. Paul said not those type. These were some classy ladies. Santel cut a promo on Indian Outlaw. Said he was going to finish was TVA started.
You will hear those famous words. OMG, OMG, it’s Rick Santel, daddy. Bicep curls and good looking girls, let’s hit it!
Paul advised TVA to be at SAW to watch Santel’s back. They did the Three Musketeers deal.
A video package on T. J. Harley aired.
(4) Rick Santel (with Paul Adams) beat Indian Outlaw via DQ in 6 minutes. St. John said Outlaw was a Native American in the tradition of Wahoo McDaniel and Chief Jay Strongbow. Santel tried to get the jump on him, but Outlaw roared back with tomahawk chops and hit a legdrop for two count. Riggins added Tatanka to the list and said Outlaw had the body type of Barry Windham. Santel reversed Outlaw with a facebuster across the knee. Riggins said Santel was as quick as a cat at his new, lighter weight. Paul choked Outlaw with his ever present towel. Santel also used a lot of chokes in between attacks on Outlaw’s shoulder. Reno explained that Outlaw was in a singles match because his partner, Lennox Lightfoot was out with bruised ribs suffered at the hands of the TVA. Crowd was really strong for Outlaw here. Outlaw hulked up and started firing tomahawk chops. Santel was soon selling with a dazed look like his cerebrospinal fluid had sprung a leak. Outlaw applied the Indian Deathlock. Santel tapped, but Paul had referee Ricky Bell distracted, which also allowed TVA’s attack on Outlaw to go undetected. TVA started double teaming Outlaw. Boogie and Andrews jumped on TVA, so there were six guys in there with the crowd going wild, but Bell was still oblivious. Boogie and Andrews sent TVA out of the ring. Bell finally turned around and called for the bell.
MSJ and Reno said it was going to be a DQ on Santel because of TVA’s interference. Bell said he was awarding the match to Santel because he saw Boogie and Andrews in the ring. That announcement drew a mixed reaction from the crowd. Riggins said it was a travesty of justice, and Adams was the smartest man in the match.
Back from break, St. John was in the ring with Boogie Nation. Boogie was outraged because it was TVA that interfered first. Boogie told St. John to look around and listen to the sounds of Boogie Nation. Outlaw said wins and losses didn’t matter. What the A Team had started was beyond anything the fans could imagine. “This is a nation of pure domination.”
Closing Thoughts: Whether they reflect the Jerry Jarrett influence or the move to ION or both, the changes in SAW were more apparent in this episode. The opening montage was new. The “last week on SAW” opening was replaced by video packages in the body of the show to recap major storylines. There have been roster changes as well. Mason Raige, who was being pushed as a top babyface, is not with the company at this point. Big Rig Bully is gone. Nore Havoc is in good standing with SAW, but has been kept away from the TV tapings due to schedule conflicts with his job. Riggins replaced Johnson on color. Reno is over the top in his effort to get things over, but he does it in an entertaining way. They introduced Malone the right way – with a quick squash. They obviously want to build interest in the mystery of Malone’s past. The highlight packages did a good job of explaining the storylines, while also getting them over as heated rivalries. I enjoyed McCoy vs. Bomb. McCoy is a hell of a talent. Bomb is no textbook wrestler by any means, but he worked really hard, and the match had intensity to it, largely due to how good McCoy is a brawler. The deal of refusing to let up on his finisher works. I wish they would settle on a name for it though. St. John describes it differently every time. In any case, McCoy is imminently hatable. Hayme/Eckos reminded me of NWA Wildside matches from back in the day – Most of it was good, but at this level and doing as much as they did, some was bound to look bad. Hayme acts like an asshole, but he’s too wholesome looking to be believable as a heel. It was the best I’ve seen Eckos look. The segment with TVA in the limo was hilarious. I liked the idea of the screw job finish of the main, but they really stretched things to beyond the limit with the ref distraction. Bell had his back turned for almost a full minute. The crowd reaction was interesting: the majority were behind Outlaw bigtime during the match, but some of them popped when Santel was announced as the winner and there were no intense outrage. The promo close the show was more coherent than the last one with Boogie, but still no great shakes. Outlaw is one wooden Indian on the mic.
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