MIKE RICKARD'S FANTASY WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
ROUND TWO CONTINUES
Catching up? Here is the background info:
Tournament Announcement
Seedings and First Round Pairings
BRACKETS
Updated brackets going into tonight's matches.
[Links to previous matches at the bottom of this post.]
THIS WEEK'S MATCHES: #27 AND #28
(Second Round Matches #111 and #12):
- The Oklahoma Cowboys vs. Roddy Piper and Bob Orton, Jr.
- Dory and Terry Funk vs. Mark and Jay Youngblood
The 1985 Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament is underway. Wait, did you just say 1985? It’s time to take a look at one of wrestling’s biggest events from the mid-80s and see what it might have been like with a few historical alterations. What if Jim Crockett Promotions hosted its tag team tournament the Crockett Cup in 1985 and included teams from promotions outside the National Wrestling Alliance (“NWA”) including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling, and more? In this case, you’d have 48 of the greatest tag teams in the world battling in a winner take all tournament for $1,000,000 and the prestigious Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Trophy.
The first round saw 16 teams competing to advance to round two with eight teams making it in. Now, these eight teams will battle the 16 top-seeded tag teams that received a first-round bye. As we saw in round one, some wrestlers are willing to bend or break the rules in order to get closer to the $1,000,000 prize so expect the unexpected as round two continues.
Second Round Rules: Here are the rules for the round two of our tournament. A pool of referees from the NWA, AWA, and WWF have been appointed for the tournament and randomly selected for each match. The second-round matches have a forty-five-minute time limit and are sanctioned under NWA rules (throwing an opponent over the top rope is an automatic disqualification). The matches are one fall with a win obtained by a pinfall, submission, count-out, or disqualification.
The second-round matches are being held over two nights. The first eight matches took place at the Richmond Coliseum on Saturday April 13. The remaining eight matches in round one take place at the Asheville Civic Center on Sunday April 14. Bob Caudle and David Crockett are calling the matches tonight but you never know which announcers from another promotion might show up. In our previous two matches, Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen defeated Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Ted DiBiase while the Road Warriors beat Jerry “The King” Lawler and “Superstar” Bill Dundee. As round two continues, bear in mind that these titanic teams are battling for more than just bragging rights—they’re competing for the prestigious Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Trophy and a cool one million dollars.
Tony Schiavone is backstage and announces there’s a mystery team participating in the next match, a duo known as the Oklahoma Cowboys. Schiavone tells the fans that the masked team petitioned Jim Crockett to participate in the tournament and that he granted their request once they revealed their identities to him. The two masked men walk in with the first one introducing himself as Tex while the other claims his name is Roy. Tony asks them why they’re wrestling under masks. Tex tells Tony there’s not much they can say, but if the other wrestlers knew who they were, they’d never allow them in. Roy tells Tony they’ll unmask after they win the tournament and there are going to be a lot of surprised people. They walk off before Tony can ask any more questions.
Bob Caudle and David Crockett are both perplexed by the masked team’s identity. They send things over to Johnny Weaver, who is about to interview the Oklahoma Cowboys’ opponents, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Cowboy” Bob Orton. “The Rowdy Scot” looks at Weaver and asks him, “So you’re still wearing that old plaid jacket you’ve had since the 70s, eh Weaver?” Bob Orton Jr. chuckles as “Hot Rod” goes on, “See ya washed out in round one and now they got ya interviewing people. Lot safer this way for you Weaver, but don’t think my bodyguard ‘Ace’ won’t knock you out if you get wise with me.” “The Dean of Wrestling” tells Piper he’s there to interview the two but Piper’s going to go into his match with a fat lip if he doesn’t cut the clowning. Piper says “Okay tough guy. Let’s talk about our next opponents. A couple of cowboys who are hiding behind masks. I never liked masked wrestlers brother and those masks aren’t going to stay on long once me and ‘Ace’ finish things up. The only cowboy in this match is Bob Orton Jr. Nobody never heard of no Oklahoma Cowboys and after we get done with them, nobody will ever see them again.”
The Oklahoma Cowboys vs.
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Cowboy” Bob Orton
The Oklahoma Cowboys come out to polite applause as Bob Caudle notes no one seems to know much about this team other than their credentials were strong enough to impress Jim Crockett. The sound of bagpipes fill the arena as the fans watch a band of bagpipers playing an introduction for Piper and Orton. The two heels take their time as the fans boo them, with security struggling to keep some angry fans away from the team. David Crockett notes that extra security was brought in due to concerns Piper and Orton might cause a riot. Piper and Orton get in the ring as referee Tommy Young checks both teams for foreign objects and any illegal ring gear. Piper motions for Young to check under his kilt and Young shouts something at Piper. Piper takes his kilt off and is laughing at Young.
Piper and Orton confer and Piper decides to start the match as Tex is in the ring with Roy waiting on the apron. Piper is smiling as he extends a hand to Tex. Tex extends a hand then pulls it back, blocking a slap from Piper and hitting a forearm on Piper. Piper’s not smiling now David Crockett notes as Piper charges Tex, only to get an arm drag takedown that Tex turns into an armbar. Tex applies the pressure as Piper tries to escape, until he’s able to back Tex into the ropes. Piper motions for a clean break and to no one’s surprise unloads with a forearm to Tex’s chest. Tommy Young starts a five count as Piper peppers Tex with punches, then throws him into the ropes. Piper goes for a clothesline but Tex ducks under and bounces off the ropes, hitting a cross bodyblock. Cover on Piper but Piper kicks out before two. Bob Caudle says it’s too early in the match but Tex is trying to throw Piper off his game. Piper gets up and Tex snapmares him down to the mat. Tex bounces off the ropes but gets waylaid by “Cowboy” Bob Orton, who hits a forearm smash to the back of Tex’s head. David Crockett says Orton didn’t use that cast or it would have been lights out for Tex. Bob adds “and a disqualification if the referee saw it.”
Roddy tags in Orton who drops a knee across Tex’s head. Orton bounces off the ropes and drops an elbow on Tex. Tag to Piper and they both whip Tex into their corner, rocking the masked man. Tag to Orton who hits a suplex on Tex, covering him for barely a two-count. Orton whips Tex into the heel corner where Piper punches Tex. Bob Orton runs towards Roy, but backs off, goading him into the ring. Referee Tommy Young goes to keep Roy out of the ring while Piper begins choking Tex with the ring rope. Orton points to Roy who is arguing with Tommy Young while Piper continues to choke the life out of Tex. David Crockett is screaming for Tommy Young to turn around. Tag to Piper who uses Tex for a punching bag while Orton holds the mysterious masked man in the corner. Piper grabs Tex and delivers a corkscrew neckbreaker, covering Tex for a two-and-a-half count. Piper starts yelling at Tommy Young and as he does, Tex somehow rolls Piper up. Piper reverses with a small package, grabbing the second rope for added leverage. However, Tommy Young sees it and kicks Piper’s hand off the rope. Tex kicks out. Piper is furious and whips Tex into a neutral corner, charging him only for Tex to lift up both his legs. Piper staggers back and comes back towards Tex, only to catch a big left. Piper comes in again, but Tex is firing off lefts and rights as Tommy Young begins a five-count. Piper stands back then falls face first onto the mat. Tex staggers towards his corner and in comes Roy.
Roy whips Piper into the ropes, hitting a dropkick. Roy slams Piper to the mat then targets his legs with elbow drops. Roy picks Piper up, but Piper surprises him with his patented Piper Poke to the eyes. Piper uses the respite to tag in “Cowboy” Bob who charges at Roy only to get arm dragged to the mat. Orton gets up and kicks at Roy, but Roy spins him around, landing an atomic drop that sends him towards Tex. Tex greets him with a big left and when he turns around, Roy lifts him up for a suplex. Roy drops an elbow onto Orton’s knee followed by another. David Crockett says Roy is twisting Orton’s knee in ways it was never meant to go. Orton winces in pain as Roy drops another elbow on Orton’s knee. Roy then takes Orton and locks in the figure four leglock. Piper runs in to make the save, stomping Roy in the head. Tex comes in to even and Piper swings wildly, hitting Tommy Young and knocking the official down to the mat. David Crockett wonders if Piper did this intentionally or not. Tex goes to check on the referee and as he does, Piper lifts up Roy and holds him as “Cowboy” Bob bounces off the ropes and lowers the boom with his forearm cast. Unfortunately, he lowers the boom on his partner as Roy slips out of the way. Orton is looking around and appears shocked. He’s even more shocked when Roy delivers a double underhook suplex then locks in the figure four in the center of the ring. Tex helps Tommy Young get his bearings then heads back to his corner. Piper is out cold in the center of the ring which means Orton has no choice but to submit.
Winners: The Oklahoma Cowboys
Tommy Young raises the Cowboys’ hands in victory while Orton is still reeling over what’s happened.
Tony Schiavone is backstage and he says “What a match we just saw and what a match we’re about to see. A battle between two teams of brothers, Mark and Jay Youngblood vs. Terry and Dory Funk Jr.” Terry and Dory walk in and Dory tells Tony, “Not just any brothers, but the only brothers to have held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.” Schiavone asks the team how they plan on overcoming the young team of Mark and Jay Youngblood. Terry tells him “You’ve heard the saying ‘Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance,’ and there’s a reason for it. Dory and him have been wrestling for years and there’s a reason they’re still going strong—few people have beat them in the ring and they’re here to capture one million dollars. Those two egg-sucking dogs the Youngbloods are headed back to the reservation while the Funks are headed to round three.”
Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk vs. Mark and Jay Youngblood
The Funks enter the ring first with the fans unsure whether or not to cheer them. The Youngbloods enter the ring wearing their headdresses. They turn their backs to take them off as Dory and Terry blindside them from behind. Bob Caudle speculates that referee Jerry Calhoun is used to the wild and wooly action in Memphis Wrestling so he signals for the bell as the match begins. Dory rams Jay’s head into the turnbuckle while Terry throws Mark through the ropes. Dory and Terry begin double-teaming Jay, with Terry chopping him and Dory hitting uppercut forearms. However, Jay isn’t having it and stands with his back to the corner, chopping at Terry and Dory. Terry goes down and as Dory goes to grab Jay, Mark grabs his leg and pulls him out of the ring. Mark takes Dory’s head and rams it into the mat apron.
Jay bodyslams Terry then applies a chinlock. Mark is back in the ring and Jay tags him in. The two whip Terry into the ropes, hitting a double chop. Mark covers Terry for nearly a two count. Mark goes to lock up but Terry stops him with a rake to the eyes, followed by a series of headbutts that daze the youngster. Terry delivers a suplex to Mark before tagging Dory back in.
Dory grabs Mark in a side headlock, going to wear him down. However, Mark slips out, throwing Dory into the ropes and hitting a shoulderblock that sends Funk to the mat. David Crockett tells Bob Caudle that Mark is looking great against the former United States Champion. Bob reminds David that it was Dory’s brother Terry who held the U.S. title. David says “Wow! Look at that!” as Mark dropkicks Dory, knocking him down again. Mark goes for a second dropkick, but Dory slips out of the way. Dory delivers a series of big forearm uppercuts to Youngblood that knock him into the heel corner. Dory grabs Youngblood by the hair and rams his head into the turnbuckle in the heel team’s corner. Tag to Terry who drops a chop on Youngblood while Dory keeps his opponent in an armbar. Double Irish whip followed by a double forearm and Youngblood goes down hard. Terry throws Mark through the ropes onto the cement and starts jawing with the referee. With the referee distracted, Dory picks up Mark and slams him down onto the unforgiving floor. Jay comes over but Bob Caudle points out the damage has been done. Mark staggers up to the mat apron only for Terry to knock him down with a headbutt. The referee starts the ten-count, but Mark makes it in by eight. David Crockett notes that the Funks are two seasoned veterans and are showing why they’re still considered one of wrestling’s greatest tag teams, even if you can’t stand them. Terry helps Mark up with a vertical suplex then tags in Dory. Bob Caudle remarks that these fast tags are keeping the Funks fresh while Youngblood is getting weaker by the moment. Double suplex by the Funks as Dory covers Mark. Jay comes in, breaking up the pin. Terry comes in, brawling with Jay while Dory hits a piledriver on Mark. That’s all she wrote as Dory uses a lateral press to get the 1-2-3.
Winners: Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk
NEXT TIME: Join us next time as round two of the tournament continues as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and his mystery partner take on the Dynamic Duo (Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez) while the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff battle Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Which teams will prevail as round two continues and the remaining teams’ quest for tag team immortality and some serious cash continues!
********************************************************
PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS FANTASY SERIES
Tournament Announcement
Seedings and First Round Pairings Announced
SECOND ROUND
Second Round: Matches 1 & 2 (Tournament 17 & 18)
Mulligan/McDaniel vs. The Russians
Rock & Roll Express vs. Maharishi/Nagasaki
Second Round: Matches 3 & 4 (Tournament 19 & 20)
Brown/Jannetty vs. Inoki & Sakaguchi
Ole & Arn Anderson vs. Windham/Rotunda)
Second Round: Matches 5 & 6 (Tournament 21 & 22)
Midnight Express vs. Hart Foundation
PYT Express vs. High Flyers
Second Round: Matches 7 & 8 (Tournament 23 & 24)
Rude/Barr (with Percy Pringle III) vs. Kevin and Mike Von Erich
Fujinami/Kimura vs. British Bulldogs
Second Round: Matches 9 & 10 (Tournament 25 & 26)
Brody/Hansen vs. Williams/DiBiase
Road Warriros vs. Lawler/Dundee
Second Round: Matches 11 & 12 (Tournament 27 & 28)
Piper & Orton vs. The Oklahoma Cowboys
The Funk Brothers vs. The Younglood Brothers
FIRST ROUND
First Round: Matches 1 & 2
Hennig/Blackwell vs. Mulligan/McDaniel
Tyler/Whatley vs. Maharishi/Nagasaki
First Round: Matches 3 & 4
Windham/Rotunda vs. Bockwinkel/Saito
Rougeaus vs. Inoki/Sakaguchi
First Round: Matches 5 &6
Barbarian/Graham vs. Hart Foundation (Hart/Neidhart)
High Flyers (Brunzell/Gagne) vs. Savage/Poffo
First Round: Matches 7 & 8:
The Von Erich vs. Blanchard/Abdullah the Butcher
Tenryu/Tsuruta vs. The British Bulldogs
First Round: Matches 9 & 10:
Graham/Blair vs. DiBiase/Williams
Valiant/McGraw vs. Lawler/Dundee
First Round: Matches 11 & 12:
Piper/Orton vs. Patterson/Fernandez
Rock & Roll RPMs vs. Youngblood Brothers
First Round: Matches 13 and 14:
Dynamic Duo (Gino & Chris) vs. American Starship
Sawyer Bros. vs. Steamboat/Snuka
First Round: Matches 15 and 16
Batten Twins vs. Fabulous Ones
Weaver/Houston vs. Sheepherders
