Sunday, February 28, 2021

Crockett Cup 85 Continues: Road Warriors vs. Brody and Hansen

SIXTEEN TEAMS ENTERED ROUND THREE: WHO IS LEFT?
See the Scouting Report on the remaining teams.


THIS WEEK'S MATCH
Third Round Match #5
(Tournament Match #37)
Road Warriors vs. Brody & Hansen


BACKGROUND
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 32 teams competing to advance to round two with 16 teams making it in. Round two followed as these 16 teams battled the 16 top-seeded tag teams that received a first-round bye. Now, round two has finished and just sixteen teams remain as round three continues. 


THIRD 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 third-round matches have a sixty-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 third-round matches are being held over two nights at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. The first four matches will take place on Friday April 19 while the remaining four will take place on Saturday April 20. Your commentators for the matches will be Bob Caudle and David Crockett, but as always, you never know when a special guest will show up. 

Round three’s fourth match saw the British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid) overcome Kevin and Mike Von Erich to advance to round four. Now, “Precious” Paul Ellering leads the Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) against the terrifying team of Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen. This one features two teams that had first-round byes and this one could be the wildest match so far.  


PRE-MATCH
Tony Schiavone is standing backstage with the Road Warriors and their manager, “Precious” Paul Ellering. Ellering tells Schiavone it’s good to see that the Road Warriors are finally getting some competition, but it still won’t be enough to stop them. Animal grabs the microphone, “One million dollars ahead of us and another team destined to lose. Don’t get us wrong, we like to beat people up for the hell of it, but a million dollars makes it even more fun. Tell ‘em about it Hawk” Hawk flexes and takes the microphone, “Schiavone, we steamrolled over Dundee and Lawler and now we’ve got Hansen and Brody. They’re tough and some people might even call them dangerous. However, that’s nothing because we snack on danger and dine on death.” Hawk drops the microphone as the Warriors walk off.

The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) with “Precious” Paul Ellering
vs. Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen

The Road Warriors’ entrance music “Iron Man” plays as the fans erupt into cheers. Bob Caudle tells David Crockett he doesn’t know how much the fans like the Warriors as they just like seeing them in action. There’s no denying they’re a remarkable team however and they made a powerful statement in round two’s match against Jerry “The King” Lawler and “Superstar” Bill Dundee. Led Zeppelin’s “The Immigrant Song” plays as Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen come out to wild cheers. David Crockett says he thinks the fans are just excited to see brawling teams in an old-fashioned battle of the bullies. Brody is swinging a chain while Hansen has a bullrope with a cowbell on it. “Looks like the Road Warriors aren’t waiting for their opponents to get into the ring!” David Crockett notes as Animal and Hawk run out of the ring towards Brody and Hansen. All four men start throwing punches as the Omni erupts in cheers. Hawk knocks Hansen over the security barrier with a clothesline and follows him into the stands as the fans nearby wisely run for their lives. Hawk grabs a chair and swings at Hansen but misses. Hansen clobbers Hawk with the cowbell then starts choking him with the bullrope. Meanwhile, Animal and Brody are exchanging lefts and rights as they make their way to the ring. World Class Championship Wrestling referee David Manning seems perplexed as Paul Ellering looks at him. “This match hasn’t even started yet and it looks like World War Three” David Crockett says. 

Hawk is already busted open from the cowbell as Hansen continues choking him with the bullrope. However, Hawk sticks a thumb in Hansen’s eye, gaining a moment’s respite and escaping the choke. Hansen chops Hawk, knocking him over the security barrier and back into the entrance ramp. Hansen climbs over the barrier, only to get a kick to the head from Hawk. Hawk rakes Hansen’s eyes then whips him into the opposite barrier. Hansen is down and Hawk is stomping away at him. Hansen gets to his feet and knees Hawk in the gut, but the Road Warrior shrugs off the blow, scooping Hansen up for a bodyslam on the floor. Hawk follows up with an elbow drop on Hansen. 

Things are getting violent between Animal and Brody as the two men reach the ringside area, slugging away. Brody goes to slam Animal’s head into the ring post, but Animal stops him and reverses, sending Bruiser’s head into the unforgiving metal. Brody falls down as Animal grabs a chair from ringside. Brody gets off the cement floor and gets blasted in the face with a steel chair. Brody is staggering as Animal swings again, but Brody gets out of the way and Animal hits the ringpost, dropping the chair. David Crockett says Brody is bleeding now too as the big man punches Animal, then rams his head into the mat apron. Animal turns around and eats a big boot from Brody. David Crockett can’t believe Brody just got hit with a chair and he’s barely affected. Bob Caudle says all four men are known for being able to take an incredible amount of punishment—even for professional wrestlers. Brody lifts Animal up for a piledriver on the cement, but Hawk catches Brody with a forearm to the back. Animal and Hawk begin double-teaming Brody, unloading with punches and kicks. The Road Warriors whip Brody into the ring and roll in behind him as Paul Ellering directs traffic. Hawk and Animal throw Bruiser into the ropes and catch him with a double clothesline, knocking the big man down. 

Referee David Manning watches as Stan Hansen joins the fray, swinging his bullrope and catching Animal in the head with the cowbell. Manning takes away the bullrope as Hansen ignores him. Hawk has Brody in a corner and is firing off punches while Hansen is trying to choke Animal with the bullrope. Manning goes over to the ring announcer and says something. The ring announcer informs everyone that Manning will disqualify both teams if they don’t retire to their mutual corners so the match can get officially underway. All four men seem oblivious to the announcement as Manning begins a ten count, with the fans joining in. 1, 2, 3, Paul Ellering shouts something to the Road Warriors and at the 7 count, they head to their corner. 

Bob Caudle tells David he’s called a lot of matches, but it’s been a while since he’s seen two teams fight so fiercely. David says it’s not like these teams have any animosity towards each other, they just seem like they want to fight. Bob tells David you can’t discount the power of the one-million-dollar prize and the Crockett Cup. In the ring, David Manning checks both teams for foreign objects and calls for the bell.

Animal locks up with Stan Hansen. David Crockett notes that Animal is bleeding from the forehead as Hansen and Animal start off by throwing wild punches. Manning starts a five count as he warns them about the closed fists. Bob Caudle says Manning isn’t giving either team any leeway which may be a good policy given what happened before the bell rang. Hansen starts throwing chops on Animal, knocking him back, but Animal rakes Hansen’s eyes, then whips him into a neutral corner. Animal runs in with a clothesline and nails Hansen. Wasting no time, Animal throws Hansen into the Road Warriors’ corner and tags in Hawk. The Road Warriors whip Hansen into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Hawk bounces off the ropes and drops a knee on Hansen’s head. Cover for about a two-count. Hawk grabs Hansen’s hair and drags him to Animal, with Hansen firing off chops along the way. Another tag to Animal, and the Road Warriors hit a double elbow to Hansen’s chest. Animal covers Hansen for another two-count. Animal whips Hansen into a neutral corner and runs in with a clothesline, but Hansen gets out of the way. Hansen staggers over and tags in Brody. David Crockett marvels at all four men’s resilience. 

Brody comes in with a big forearm smash across Animal’s back, followed by a one-armed bodyslam. Brody drops an elbow on Animal then picks him up, ramming Animal’s head into Hansen’s outstretched boot. Tag to Hansen as Brody and Hansen hit Animal with a double suplex. Hansen covers Animal for just a two count. Animal gets up only for Hansen to take him to the mat with a single leg takedown. Bob Caudle says what we’re seeing right now could be the deciding factor in this battle as Hansen and Brody’s wrestling repertoire is bigger than that of Hawk and Animal. David Crockett remarks that the Road Warriors haven’t had to worry about mat wrestling up until now but it could be a problem now that they’re facing a team as rough and tough as they are. Hansen drops an elbow onto Animal’s leg then twists his opponent’s leg. Hansen lifts Animal up who fires off a punch. The two men start exchanging blows as David Manning starts another five count. 

David Crockett says he can’t believe it’s only five minutes into the match, but Bob Caudle reminds him the two teams had their pre-match warm-up as well. Hansen whips Animal into the ropes and hits a shoulderblock, but Animal laughs it off, despite blood running from his forehead. Hansen whips Animal into the ropes, but Animal counters, and hits a big powerslam on the “Bad Man from Borger Texas.” Tag to Hawk who runs in and catches Hansen as he’s getting up with a big boot. Hawk whips Hansen into the ropes and delivers a dropkick as David Crockett says he can’t believe what he just saw from the big man. Hawk follows up with a jumping fist drop and picks Hansen up for a swinging neckbreaker. David Crockett says the Road Warriors have quickly turned this one around and have Brody and Hansen on the ropes. Hawk covers Hansen as the referee counts, 1, 2,…Bruiser Brody breaks up the pin! Brody takes Hawk and throws him through the ropes but Hawk tries to hang on, only to get the top and second rope wrapped around his head. Bob Caudle points out that this is a dangerous situation and the referee needs to step in and free Hawk. David Manning is doing just that, but he’s having trouble. Animal runs in to lend a hand but Brody catches him with a devastating big boot that sends him over the top rope. The referee is too busy trying to get Hawk free and misses the over-the-top rope move that would be an automatic disqualification. Brody follows Animal outside the ring and piledrives him on the floor. Back in the ring, the Road Warriors’ manager Paul Ellering is on the mat apron trying to help free Hawk. Stan Hansen gets to his feet as Brody piledrives Animal a second time. David Crockett says this isn’t a match any more, it’s a mugging. Finally, the referee frees Hawk and checks on him to see if he can still compete. Hawk clutches his throat and waves Manning aside. Just as he does, Stan Hansen moves in, throwing him into the ropes. Stan delivers a big lariat as Hawk falls to the mat. Cover on Hawk 1,2, and 3. Bob Caudle says he wonders how much damage Hawk’s neck took when it was wrapped around those ring ropes. David Crockett adds that Brody and Hansen turned the Warriors’ bad luck into a big win.

Winners: Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen

Manning raises Brody and Hansen’s hands in victory as Paul Ellering checks on Animal. The ring doctor is already checking on Animal and calling for an ambulance. Hawk finally gets to his feet and checks on his fallen partner. Brody and Hansen walk back to the dressing room as backstage officials bring out a gurney. David Crockett says he’s glad that Animal is getting medical treatment. Animal is stretchered out as Hawk and Animal walk alongside him. The fans are silent as they can’t believe the carnage. 

Oh no! What’s this David Crockett shouts as Brody and Hansen run out, laying out Hawk and “Precious” Paul with steel chairs. Brody knocks over the gurney and Animal falls off. Brody and Hansen attack Ellering and Hawk, punching and kicking them. Here come a number of wrestlers including George South, Rocky Kernodle, Paul Diamond, and Jimmy Jackson. Unfortunately, they’re all getting beat down for their troubles. Hansen picks up Kernodle and piledrives him on the floor. Brody joins in and piledrives Diamond, laying him out. David Crockett says he hopes these guys have Mutual of Omaha. 

The fans cheer as Jimmy Valiant, Buzz Sawyer, Magnum T.A. and Manny Fernandez run in for the save. The babyfaces get a few punches in on Brody and Hansen, driving them off. Bob Caudle says he wonders what the National Wrestling Alliance will do in lieu of this heinous attack.

NEXT TIME
Join us next time as the Oklahoma Cowboys battle Terry and Dory Funk Jr. Who will advance to round four in the quest for tag team glory and some serious cash!

* * * * * * * * * * * *


PREVIOUS POSTS IN THE CROCKETT CUP '85 FANTASY SERIES

Original Tournament Announcement (May 2020)

Seedings and First Round Pairings Announced


THIRD ROUND MATCHES
[ Scouting Report ] [ Brackets ]

Third Round: Match 1 (Tournament Match #33)
     The Rock & Roll Express vs. The Russians
Third Round: Match 2 (Tournament Match #34)
     Ole & Arn Anderson vs. Antonio Inoki and Seiji Sakaguchi
Third Round: Match 3 (Tournament Match #35)
     Midnight Express vs. High Flyers
Third Round: Match 4 (Tournament Match #36)
     Kevin and Mike Von Erich vs. The British Bulldogs
Third Round: Match 5 (Tournament Match #37)
     Road Warriors vs. Brody and Hansen


SECOND ROUND MATCHES
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
Second Round: Matches 13 & 14 (Tournament 29 & 30)
    Rhodes/Murdoch vs. Adams/Hernandez
    Sheik/Volkoff vs. Steamboat/Snuka
Second Round: Matches 15 & 16 (Tournament 31 & 32)
    Fantastics vs. Fabulous Ones
    Sheepherders vs. Freebirds


FIRST ROUND MATCHES

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

Friday, February 26, 2021

Make it Good! - Dusty Rhodes Channels His Inner Marlon Brando

by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

On a long-ago episode of The J.J. Dillon Show podcast (mlwradio.com), J.J. and co-host Rich Bocchini discussed the infamous incident in October of 1986 where the Four Horsemen jumped Dusty Rhodes in the parking lot of Jim Crockett Promotions on Briarbend Drive in Charlotte. That ambush left the American Dream with a broken arm as he prepared for a big steel cage tag-team battle with the Horsemen that weekend in Charlotte.

Dusty got the inspiration for this scene where he is tied to Klondike Bill's ring truck
from Marlon Brando in the movie "One Eyed Jacks."

As it played out, the Horsemen, in two separate vehicles, followed an unsuspecting Rhodes in his little red convertible to the offices of Jim Crockett Promotions where they attacked Rhodes in the parking lot, beat him down, and tied him to a ring-truck, arms stretched out as if he were to be crucified.

One of the most often-discussed moments in that big angle was when Dusty cried out three famous words just before the Horsemen whacked his right hand with a baseball bat - -

"Make it good!"

There was much discussion by fans at the time suggesting this was Rhodes' attempt to verbally direct the action in the skit taking place that he was a part of. But J.J. maintains that wasn't the case.

"There were critics that didn't like Dusty," Dillon told Bocchini, "who said, 'Oh, there's Dusty, he had to let everyone know that he was orchestrating everything' - - which was not true."

J.J. explained that it all had to do with Dusty's fondness for the cinema. Especially westerns.

"Dusty was somebody who loved the movies," Dillon said. "and he loved seeing moments in a movie and re-creating those moments. And one of those moments was in the movie 'One Eyed Jacks' where Marlon Brando was this gunslinger who was terrorizing this town."

In the movie, Marlon Brandon's character Rio had been betrayed by his partner and fellow-outlaw "Dad" Longworth (portrayed by Karl Malden) following a bank robbery the two had committed together. Many years later, Longworth had become Sheriff, and when Rio returns to town to confront Longworth, Rio is captured, tied to a hitching post and whipped. But the worst blow of all was still yet to come.


Sheriff "Dad" Longworth (Karl Malden) taunts Rio (Marlon Brando) in the 1961 film "One Eyed Jacks."



Rio, barely able to speak, tells Longworth, "You better kill me." His meaning was that after all you've done to me - - you've betrayed me, you've whipped me - - you might as well kill me. Because if you don't, I'll be back to kill you.

But Longworth says killing him isn't necessary. He picks up his rifle and smashes it down on Rio's right hand, the hand this gunslinger used to draw and shoot his gun. Without the use of that right hand, he would be no threat to anyone.

J.J. said it is this scene that Rhodes was channeling in the angle with the Horsemen. Rhodes was telling the Horsemen that if you are going to try and take me out, you better make it good. 

In Dusty's recreation of the scene from "One Eyed Jacks" with the Horsemen, the rifle became Ole's baseball bat, and the hitching post became one of Klondike Bill's ring trucks. The Horsemen tied him to the truck, and you hear Ole telling J.J. to make sure his paid cameraman zooms in close. Even though Rhodes was tied to the truck, Ole and Arn held him tightly as Tully Blanchard wielded the blow of the baseball bat on Rhodes' right hand.

You better kill me. Make it good. 

It was a bit of revenge for Blanchard in particular, who was on crutches due to an earlier injury from a match in Greensboro when Rhodes refused to release a figure-four leg lock.

At the very end of the video tape of the Horsemen angle, you hear J.J. Dillon tell Dusty, "I want this to serve as a warning, Rhodes. We'll see you tomorrow night in Charlotte, you cripple!"

At the end of the movie "One Eyed Jack," Longworth might have wished he had killed Rio because, with his drawing hand now healed, Brando returns to kill Malden in a final showdown.

And even though Rhodes had warned the Horsemen to "make it good", they didn't make it good enough. The next night in Charlotte, Ole and J.J. Dillon (substituting for the injured Blanchard) entered the cage in Charlotte. Rhodes, his right hand and arm in a cast, introduced his mystery partner - - - Nikita Koloff. The hated "Russian Nightmare" had joined the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes to battle the Four Horsemen in the wake of Magnum T.A.'s career-ending automobile accident.

The huge crowd in Charlotte loved it. It wound up being one of the most dramatic, emotional moments of the year.

 


Edited from a post originally published on September 26, 2017 on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway.


http://horsemen.midatlanticgateway.com

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Mid-Atlantic TV Report: June 4, 1983

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling on
the WWE Network

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
TV Summaries & Reviews
by David Taub
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor

This is a review of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as it appeared on the WWE Network. Results are included for the week (Monday-Sunday of the given week) as available. Please email with any corrections, typos, results, other details at 1davidtaub@gmail.com. Follow @TaubGVWire

For links to all available summaries as well as links to the Mid-Atlantic Championship Podcast, visit our TV Summary Index.


Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Original broadcast: 06/04/83
(taped 6/01/83 at WPCQ-TV studios in Charlotte)
WWE Network Direct Link to this show Mid-Atlantic 06/04/83
WWE Network feed.

Match 1
Rufus R. Jones & Jimmy Valiant d. Sgt. Jacques Goulet & Bill White

We open the show with the match already in progress. Stu Schwartz is the referee for the hour. Quick match. Jones pins White with the “Freight Train” shoulder tackle followed by a head butt. The Network edit music drowns out the last moment of the match and the replay.

Caudle airs a clip of the Briscos vs. Weaver & Rotundo, which apparently we’ll see later in the hour.

[Break]

-Body slam challenge: One Man Gang vs. Mike Davis
This follows the suual pattern. Caudle, on the apron, is with Sir Oliver Humperdink. Davis has no chance. Gang pounces on him, and cuts some of his hair.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Wahoo McDaniel
Wahoo is back in studio, for the first time since last fall. Wahoo said Valentine didn’t run him out, he had commitments in other areas. We’ll find out who is the greatest U.S. champion. Wahoo also talks about his Indian brethren, the Briscos. He understands how Indians have been mistreated, but he decided to go another way. He warns them to  stay out of his business.

Match 2
Non Title: Greg Valentine [U.S. ch.] d. Vinnie Valentino

Valentine has his green robe, to match his tights. He works mostly on the arms and secures the submission with the hammerlock! Can’t remember the last time I saw that finisher to end a match.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Greg Valentine
Valentine says at least Valentino knew when to give it up. Caudle throws it to the May 1 Valentine vs. Piper match where Valentine injured Piper’s ear, and Sandy Scott stopped the match because Piper refused to quit. Valentine says he watches that video from time to time to cheer him up. Caudle informs Valentine that Piper will be coming back. Valentine can’t believe it. He goes on another rant against Piper.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Paul Jones and Jake Roberts
Roberts is wearing a nice yellow sports coat and tie. Rare that you see The Snake in formal dress (that 1984 World Class vignette doesn’t count when Jake finds a hobo’s coat in the back of a car and wears it). Jones says NWA President Bob Geigel has apologized and formally reinstated Dick Slater.

Match 3
Non-Title: Dory Funk Jr. [Mid-Atlantic ch.] d. Brett Hart

This is the first TV appearance of Brett Hart, aka Barry Horowitz. Hart is holding his own. But, Funk is too much and fools Caudle by thinking he is applying the Figure Four, but it is the Indian Death Lock. Paul Jones is smirking at the announcer’s desk. Submission victory for Funk. After the match, Jones helps untangle the legs, then gets a cheap shot on Hart.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Paul Jones and Jake Roberts
Jones talks more about the contest to win a large poster of himself. Caudle reads letters from Gastonia, NC and Mebane, NC gushing over Jones. He extends the essay limit to 75 words now.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Paul Jones and Jake Roberts
This is in lieu of local promos. More about the contest, plus some Dusty Rhodes insults.

[Break]

Match 4
Non-Title: The Great Kabuki [NWA TV ch.] (w/Gary Hart) d. Keith Larson

David Crockett joins in on commentary. The talk is about how the green mist stings his opponent’s eyes. Low and behold, Larson comes off the top rope, and Kabuki sprays the mist for the DQ. A goggle-wearing Jimmy Valiant makes the save, as the Network edit music drowns things out. The mist doesn’t work on Valiant.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Jimmy Valiant
You can barely hear what he says. Something about America. The red spray is on Valiant’s hair, but not his eyes.

[Break]

-Comments from Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood
They are behind the new NWA interview set. I least I think it is new. Steamboat is mad that the Briscos are calling them cowards. They have obligations to fill. Youngblood is in a dress shirt, tie, sunglasses and Indian headdress.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: The Brisco Brothers
Jerry is wearing a Brisco Bros. Body Shop shirt. He calls Steamboat and Younbgblood no-shows. They want the World tag team championship. Jack just lets his brother do the talking.

[Break]

Match 5
[TAPED MATCH] [World Wide Wrestling]
Johnny Weaver & Bob Orton Jr. d. Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco by DQ

This was from the 5/28/83 World Wide Wrestling, with David Crockett & Paul Jones on commentary. Tight match. Orton has Jack in a Figure Four. Jerry jumps in to break it up, but it violates the two-save rule for the DQ. The Briscos stuff piledriver Weaver in the ring. 

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Kelly Kiniski
This is in lieu of local promos. Kiniski praises Sir Oliver Humperdink. This is rough. Kiniski just doesn’t have the microphone chops. He says he is the Mid-Atlantic tag team champ, and why not the World tag team champs?

[Break]

[TAPE] [St. Louis] Comments from NWA Champion Ric Flair
This looks like it was taped in Kansas City. Flair says he’s headed back, Wooo!

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Bob Orton Jr., Bugsy McGraw, Jos LeDuc
Orton says he doesn’t like what the Briscos are doing. He acknowledges he was gone but didn’t want to bore anyone with his personal problems. He wants Valentine. LeDuc is glad that Piper is headed back. He looks forward to Dick Slater returning. McGraw has words for One Man Gang and Sir Oliver Humperdink.

“So long for now!”

 * * * * * * * * * *

Results for the week 5/30/83-6/05/83 
(source: Clawmaster’s Archive via Sports and Wrestling blog posted by David Baker; “Wrestling” newsletter by Joe Shedlock)

Mon., 5/30/83 Wilmington, NC
Wahoo McDaniel vs. Greg Valentine
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood vs. Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco
Jos LeDuc vs. Great Kabuki
Magic Dragon vs. Mike Davis
Ricky Harris vs. Vinnie Valentino

Mon., 5/30/83 Victoria, VA; Lunenburg Central HS Field

Tue., 5/31/83 Columbia, SC; Township Auditorium
Vinnie Valentino d. Masa Fuchi
Kelly Kiniski d. Mike Davis
Bob Orton Jr. d. Gene Anderson
Rufus R. Jones & Mike Rotundo d. Dory Funk Jr. & Jake Roberts
Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco d. Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood by DQ 

6/01/83 Rocky Mount, NC
Greg Valentine beat Wahoo McDaniel
Jos Leduc beat Great Kabuki
One Man Gang beat Jimmy Valiant by DQ
Bugsy McGraw beat Magic Dragon
Johnny Weaver beat Rick McCord
Keith Larsen beat Bill White

Wed., 6/01/83 Charlotte, NC  WCPQ Studios(TV)
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling:
Jimmy Valiant & Rufus R. Jones beat Jacques Goulet & Bill White
Greg Valentine beat Vinnie Valentino
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Brett Hart (Barry Horowitz)
Keith Larson beat Great Kabuki by DQ
World Wide Wrestling:
Greg Valentine beat Brett Hart
Bob Orton, Jr. beat Bill White
Bugsy McGraw beat Ben Alexander
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Vinnie Valentino

Thu., 6/02/83 Sumter, SC; Exhibition Center
Greg Valentine beat Wahoo McDaniel
Rufus R. Jones beat Great Kabuki
Bugsy McGraw & Bob Orton, Jr. beat Gene Anderson & Kelly Kiniski
Magic Dragon beat Abe Jacobs
Bill White beat Jacques Goulet

Fri., 6/03/83 Charleston, SC; County Hall
Greg Valentine beat Wahoo McDaniel
Johnny Weaver & Rufus R. Jones beat Great Kabuki & Magic Dragon
Bob Orton, Jr. beat Kelly Kiniski
Gene Anderson beat Brett Hart
Jacques Goulet beat Bill White

Fri., 6/03/83 Lynchburg, VA; Lynchburg Armory

Sat. 6/04/83 Greensboro, NC ;  Coliseum
Greg Valentine vs. Wahoo McDaniel
Jimmy Valiant vs. Great Kabuki
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood vs. Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco
Plus other matches

Sun., 6/05/83 Hampton, VA; Hampton Coliseum
Mike Rotundo beat Kelly Kiniski
Bob Orton, Jr. beat Jacques Goulet
Rufus R. Jones beat Great Kabuki
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco
Wahoo McDaniel beat Greg Valentine by DQ

Monday, February 22, 2021

The Assassination of Pvt. Jim Nelson

The Brisco Brothers Send a Message to Steamboat and Youngblood
by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway


"Jack and Jerry, you told me it was an accident." 
- Pvt. Jim Nelson


One of my favorite angles from Jim Crockett Promotions in the 1980s took place on the May 21, 1983  episode of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling where Pvt. Jim Nelson confronted the Briscos over their dastardly turn on Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood. Nelson's stand against the Briscos, their subsequent destruction of the young Marine Private, and the mayhem that followed is to this day one of my favorite moments to watch over and over again, even 38 years later. Happily, that show and this angle are included on the WWE Network.

First, a little background:

In the spring of 1983, Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood were ready for new challengers to their NWA World Tag Team Championships, having just dispatched their arch enemies Sgt. Slaughter and Don Kernodle in a blood feud that had boiled over since it began back in the fall of 1982. Sarge was headed to the WWF, and Kernodle would eventually regroup and align himself with Ivan Koloff to win the World Tag Team titles once again in 1984.

During Ricky and Jay's run up to winning the titles, they had some behind-the-scenes help in tormenting Slaughter and Kernodle in the form of Pvt. Jim Nelson, a member of Sarge's "platoon" and former tag partner of Pvt. Don Kernodle, who were once Mid-Atlantic Tag Team champions. Nelson had been somewhat discarded by Slaughter as the Sarge and Kernodle had moved on to win the NWA World Tag Team titles and left him behind. Nelson became somewhat of a "double agent," the secret ally of Steamboat and Youngblood, and was involved in several mysterious pranks that tormented and distracted Slaughter and Kernodle. Only recently had Pvt. Nelson revealed himself to be the co-conspirator of Steamboat and Youngblood, and this had made him a fan-favorite.

BRISCOS CLASH WITH STEAMBOAT AND YOUNGBLOOD
New challengers emerged for Ricky and Jay in the form of unlikely foes - their close friends Jack and Jerry Brisco. The Briscos had been making "quiet noise" about their desire to go after the tag titles for several months, acknowledging that they both had held many singles and tag championships over their storied careers, but had never held the world tag team titles. It was the one title they wanted the most. 

In a series of what were thought to be friendly (although quite competitive) contests between the two friendly teams, Jack Brisco had injured Ricky Steamboat's knee on two occasions, each time falling on Steamboat's leg and knee as Ricky was trapped in Jerry's figure-four leglock. The first appeared to be an accident, but the second clearly wasn't. 

As the video-tape of the controversial second injury to Steamboat was shown again on TV, Steamboat's new friend Jim Nelson came out to confront the Briscos over what they had done. 

PVT. NELSON CONFRONTS THE BRISCOS
Nelson felt betrayed as well, indicating that Jack and Jerry earlier had both promised him that the first injury was an accident. Angry, Nelson called Brisco a coward and challenged him to get in the ring with him. Brisco obliged and the two battled for a few moments until Jack got the upperhand with the figure-four and then it was Jerry this time who came off the top turnbuckle and landed on Nelson, badly injriing his knee. The injury (all storyline, of course) was so severe that Pvt. Jim nelson was put out of wrestling permanently. It would be the last time he would be seen in a wrestling ring.

In actuality it was Nelson's farewell to the Mid-Atlantic area only, as he was leaving to go work in the Mid-South area for promoter Bill Watts under a new persona, the mad Russian Boris Zhukov, a persona he would maintain for the rest of his career, culminating years later as the tag team partner of Nicolia Volkoff in the WWF.

The Brisco's elimination of Pvt. Nelson was masterfully executed, and served to fully cement them as "bad guys" to the fans, some of whom were still unsure what was happening with them. Their assassination of Nelson in the WPCQ TV studio that early Wednesday in May made it clear to everyone they were now dirty heels.


THIRTY EIGHT YEARS LATER, NELSON REMEMBERS
During a recent conversation catching up with our friend Jim Nelson, I told him I was writing a little article about the memorable angle, and asked him who came to him with the idea and how it was presented. Nelson was working a notice around the circuit before he would leave for Mid-South, and was no longer working TV. Knowing Jim would no longer be around anyway, the Briscos, Steamboat and Youngblood cooked up the angle to put Nelson out for good, and help drive home to the fans that the Briscos were now bad guys.

"Jack and Jerry worked it all out with me," Jim told me. "Gene Anderson and Johnny Weaver [who produced the TV shows] pushed and encouraged me to be direct and aggressive with Jack to get across I was mad and upset with what happened. I remember vividly Jack told me to come at him hard. 'Your upset and ticked off, so show it.'" 

Nelson did go at him hard, shoving Brisco so suddenly it almost knocked him off his feet. 

What really made the angle work though, in my opinion, was when Nelson said to them, "Jack and Jerry, you told me it was a accident." He came across so sincerely at that moment, with such sad disappointment in his voice.  It got over that not only had the Brisocs betrayed Steamboat and Youngblood, but they had betrayed him, too. Beautifully done.

Jim told me he thought he had given them what they were looking for. "It's my favorite all time angle I was ever involved in."

That's a pretty big statement. Jim Nelson as Boris Zhukov worked many angles in Southeastern Wrestling, the AWA, and the WWF, including headlining with Sgt. Slaughter over the AWA Americas title and teaming with Nikolai Volkoff as part of the famous tag team the Bolsheviks at a Wrestlemania. It indicates how much it meant to him personally to do an angle with the Brisco brothers, for whom he had such immense respect, and especially to have had this opportunity so early in his career.   


FLOWN IN JUST FOR THE ANGLE
Interestingly, the angle almost never happened. Nelson was days away from leaving for the Mid-South territory, packing up his belongings at his home in Roanoke, VA. The whole thing came as quite a surprise to him when he got the phone call to come back to Charlotte for one last shot.

"Jim Crockett flew me into Charlotte from Roanoke. I did the angle, and then flew directly home from Charlotte after the taping. Mike Rotunda took me to the airport. The show was still going on and being taped. I headed out to Louisiana a few days later, before it even aired." 

Nelson never saw it until many years later.  

"I enjoyed it immensely," Jim told me. "All the years I grew up watching Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as a kid, and then to get in the business, looking forward to a moment like that, the opportunity to work with guys like that. It was key for me that day. I wanted to make it real. You do something like that, you give it your best, your all."

 

THE TRANSCRIPT
If you have the WWE Network, you can go the 5/21/83 episode in the Territories section and watch this angle in it's entity in wonderful quality. It takes place at 18:48 into the WWE version of the show. It's also probably available somewhere on YouTube in less than wonderful quality. Either way, it's worth the trouble to see it. 

If you can't see it on video, we've included the transcript below, which starts just after Bob Caudle and the Briscos finish reviewing video tape of the controversial match with Steamboat and Youngblood.


BOB CAUDLE: All right fans, and there it was, and Jack, Jerry, that's the controversial part of the match. 

JACK BRISCO: You can see right there when Rick Steamboat deliberately tried to hurt me, threw me out here on the cement floor, intentionally trying to injure me. I looked up there in the ring and there's Youngblood and Steamboat both on my brother, so I go in there and save my brother. 

CAUDLE: Alright, and Jerry what are your comments about that? 

JERRY BRISCO: Well that's exactly right, I looked up and I saw Jay Youngblood trying to give me another shot right in the throat, and I guarantee you, if it hadn't been for my brother, I might not be able to stand out here and talk to you today.

(Jim Nelson approaches the Briscos...)

BOB CAUDLE: And Jim Nelson right here...

JIM NELSON: I can't believe you two guys. You were great friends with Steamboat and Youngblood, you wanted a chance at the belts. You said you'd wrestle them for them. I thought the first time it was a mistake. Jack and Jerry, you told me it was an accident. And after that right there - - (points at Jack Brisco) - - You tried to hurt him, you tried to put [Steamboat] out of wrestling, those belts mean more to you than anything, just like Slaughter and Kernodle. You stoop that low, a former world's champion - - You're a coward, Jack Brisco!

JACK BRISCO: I'm a coward?? (flares up, pushes Nelson)

JIM NELSON: Yeah, you're a coward! Why don't you get in the ring with me right now!!

JACK BRISCO: You don't call me no coward!! 


JIM NELSON: (shoves Brisco hard) Get in the ring with me right now! (jumps into ring)

BRISCO: I'll get in the ring with you right now....(Angrily removes jacket and shirt) 

The crowd pops!

BOB CAUDLE: All right, Jim Nelson calling Jack Brisco a coward, says get in the ring, and Jack's taken off his coat...

Jack angrily takes off his shirt and prepares to enter the ring, as the crowd cheers

JERRY BRISCO: Nelson has turned into nothing but a stooge for Youngblood and Steamboat! He's completely loosing his mind, he's the one that caused an awful lot of trouble (for Slaughter and Kernodle)

Jack Brisco charges into the ring.

CAUDLE: Jack's got his street clothes on! His (cowboy) boots and his jeans...

Referee Ron West seems to indicate he'll allow a match. Brisco quickly gains the upper hand with punches that back Nelson into the corner. Brisco snap-mares him out of the corner...

CAUDLE: And here goes Jack with a knee drop right down across Jim Nelson! With a boot to the forehead now, a couple of kicks to Nelson...

Nelson gets to his feet, blocks Brisco's punch, and throws two haymaker tomahawk-type punches that have Brisco reeling. Nelson whips Brisco int the ropes and catches him with a big boot coming back off the ropes sending Brisco prone to the canvas. Nelson mounts Jack and begins to pound away with a series of right hand punches to Brisco's head. The crowd is loving it. Jerry Brisco, meanwhile, has climbed to the ring apron. Nelson picks up Jack and delivers a big body slam, bounces off the ropes and goes to deliver his own knee-drop...

CAUDLE: These two have really went at each other, Jim Nelson calling Jack Brisco a coward - - and Jack rolls right out from under that knee! 

Nelson crashes to the mat on his knee, and cries out in pain...

CAUDLE: And it looks like now he is going to the figure-four!! 


As Jack applies his patented figure-four leg-lock to a helpless Nelson, Jerry Brisco climbs to the top turnbuckle...

CAUDLE: And now here's Jerry Brisco on that top rope!...

Jerry Brisco dives from the top turnbuckle...

CAUDLE: ...right down across Jim Nelson's leg and knee! As Jack had him in the figure four - -


 Jim Nelson screams in agony on the mat, holding his injured knee.

CAUDLE: And now there is Jerry Brisco taking his coat off. The Brisco brothers simply going wild. Jim Nelson, who really baited Jack into a match - - and Jack is going to put the figure-four on him again!! Again he's going to put it on that leg, and he continues to apply the pressure...


Jerry taunts Nelson as Jack clamps down tighter on the figure four. Within moments, Johnny Weaver, Mike Rotundo, Rufus Jones, and Jimmy Valiant all hit the ring to save Nelson. The Briscos retreat to the set with Bob Caudle.

JERRY BRISCO: (back at the desk with Caudle) He comes out here and preaches to us, Nelson comes out here and preaches - - you know, that's the thing about it, all they can do is complain, come out preaching, trying to convert us. The only way, Bob, to win those world tag team championships is to prove we are the number one contenders.

JACK BRISCO: Jim Nelson's finished! I felt the knee go!

Johnny Weaver approaches the Briscos

JOHNNY WEAVER: I thought this was all an accident, I can't believe you guys would stoop this low..

JACK BRISCO: Another preacher, huh? Get back in that ring and check on your stooge!

WEAVER: You're darn right I'll get back in there and check on him, he's my partner!

JACK BRISCO: I felt that knee go, Bob, I had that figure-four on him, and Jerry came across there, I felt the knee go. Believe me, Jim Nelson's finished. You'll never see him wrestle around here again.

Jimmy Valiant now leaves the ring and approaches the Briscos

JIMMY VALIANT: (Pleading) C'mon baby, c'mon brother! Why?

Jack sucker-punches Valiant in the gut, and the Briscos both pick Valiant up...

BOB CAUDLE: And Jack Brisco now hits Valiant and they both pick him up and slam him to the floor! The Briscos slamming Valiant to the concrete floor, grab their jacks and out they go!

The Briscos leave the studio, with Valiant hurt on the floor and Jim Nelson still in agony in the ring.

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Crockett Cup '85 Continues: Von Erichs vs. British Bulldogs (Round Three)

ONLY SIXTEEN TEAMS REMAIN!
See the Scouting Report on the remaining teams.


THIS WEEK'S MATCH
Third Round Match #4
(Tournament Match #36)
Von Erichs vs. British Bulldogs

BACKGROUND
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 32 teams competing to advance to round two with 16 teams making it in. Round two followed as these 16 teams battled the 16 top-seeded tag teams that received a first-round bye. Now, round two has finished and just sixteen teams remain as round three continues.


THIRD 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 third-round matches have a sixty-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 third-round matches are being held over two nights at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. The first four matches will take place on Friday April 19 while the remaining four will take place on Saturday April 20. Your commentators for the matches will be Bob Caudle and David Crockett, but as always, you never know when a special guest will show up. 

The third match of round three featured Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express (“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey) battling the High Flyers (“Jumping” Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne, with the Midnights getting the duke. Now, Mike and Kevin Von Erich do battle with the British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid). It’s a bout between two babyface teams, but with one million dollars at stake, will the dough lead a team to the dark side? 


PRE-MATCH
Johnny Weaver is backstage with the Von Erichs. Johnny comments that the team has looked fantastic so far, but fans want to know if Mike Von Erich has recovered from the brutal post-match attack at the hands of Abdullah the Butcher and Tully Blanchard in round one. Mike says he’s good and his dad always told him it’s rare when a wrestler doesn’t work hurt. He’s 100% though and he and his brother are ready for the Bulldogs. They’re a fast team but no one is as fast as his brother Kevin. Kevin takes the microphone and says he’s heard a lot about the British Bulldogs. They’re supposed to be straight shooters but he can’t help but remember how another Englishman betrayed him. He’s going to give the Bulldogs the benefit of the doubt but the first sign of funny business and they’ll be in for a Texas whipping. 

Tony Schiavone is backstage with Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid. Davey Boy tells Tony he and Dynamite have wrestled around the world, but they’ve never had an opportunity to wrestle so many great opponents. It’s an honor to be here and the Bulldogs are looking forward to battling the Von Erichs. The Dynamite Kid says the Von Erichs can expect a tough fight but they plan on keeping the match clean as long as they return the favor.


Mike and Kevin Von Erich vs.
The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid)

The Bulldogs make their way to the ring to cheers. Bob Caudle says the British Bulldogs have really won over the fans here. David Crockett says this is another battle of brother teams, which always makes for an interesting situation. Bob Caudle reminds his broadcast partner that the Bulldogs are cousins, but David says they look like brothers before Bob notes the arrival of Mike and Kevin. The fans give them a rousing welcome as WWF referee Dick Kroll gets ready to officiate. The Von Erichs get into the ring and shake hands with the Bulldogs. Kroll conducts the pre-match formalities then signals for the bell as Kevin Von Erich steps in against Davey Boy Smith.

Both men circle each other as Bob Caudle explains Kevin seems to be sizing up his opponent and looking for an opening. David Crockett welcomes World Class Championship Wrestling’s Fritz Von Erich. Fritz grabs a headset and asks David why a WWF official is refereeing this match involving a WWF tag team. David reminds Fritz that the referees are randomly selected from a pool from all the promotions participating in this tournament. Fritz says that doesn’t sound right then tells Bob and David “You’re looking at two future world champions in the ring against those two Englishmen.” Bob says that could happen as Kerry has already held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once. Fritz says even son Chris is going to be world champion once he breaks into the sport. Fritz asks David Crockett if he just rolled his eyes and Bob Caudle changes the subject, noting Kevin and Davey Boy have locked up in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Not for long as Kevin applies an arm bar. Davey Boy reverses though and whips Kevin into the ropes. The two grapplers run the ropes, with Davey Boy leap-frogging over Kevin and Kevin bounces off the ropes, surprising Davey Boy with a cross body block. Cover by Kevin for a two-count. Fritz says it looked awful close as David says the Von Erichs are off to a strong start. Kevin picks up Davey Boy and slams him down to the mat. Kevin bounces off the ropes and drops an elbow but Davey Boy rolls out of the way. Davey Boy whips Kevin into the ropes and hits a big back body-drop. Davey whips Kevin into the Bulldogs’ corner and tags in Dynamite. Dynamite headbutts Kevin, dazing him. The Bulldog throws him into the ropes with incredible speed. Bob Caudle can’t believe how fast these two teams are as Dynamite shoulder-blocks Kevin, but Von Erich shrugs it off. Kevin throws Dynamite into the ropes and shoulder-blocks him, but the Kid stands tall. Hip-toss by Kevin followed by a dropkick that sends Dynamite into the Von Erich corner. Tag to Mike as Kevin holds the Bulldog in an armbar. Mike jumps off the top rope, hitting an elbow to Dynamite’s head, knocking him down. Mike slams his opponent then covers him for just a two count. Dynamite kicks out as Fritz says, “Aren’t my sons amazing?” Mike takes Dynamite and delivers an atomic drop, tagging in Kevin. Kevin whips Dynamite into the corner. Kevin charges in, but Dynamite lifts a knee. Dynamite goes for an arm bar, but Kevin rolls out of hit, hitting the Bulldog with a devastating dropkick. Dynamite gets up only for Von Erich to catch him with a flying head-scissors that knocks him right back down to the mat. Kevin races to the top ropes and goes for a flying bodypress but Dynamite manages to raise his knees. Bob Caudle comments that it might have been early to go for that move so early on. Fritz Von Erich says it’s never too early to win as suddenly his microphone goes out. David Crockett says it seems Fritz is having technical difficulties. Fritz steps away as the match continues, with Dynamite rolling to his corner and tagging in Davey Boy.

Ten minutes into the match as Smith runs in and drops a knee on Von Erich, who is still dazed from his failed flying bodypress. The Bulldog lifts Kevin up for a vertical suplex. Cover on Kevin for a two-count. Smith then picks Kevin up and hits a backbreaker. Tag to Dynamite and the Bulldogs whip Kevin into the ropes, landing a double clothesline. Bob Caudle notes the Bulldogs seem to have bounced right back. Quick tag to Davey, who picks up Kevin and delivers a beautiful vertical suplex, holding Von Erich up and taking his time before dropping him down to the mat. Another cover, but Mike Von Erich breaks it up. The Dynamite Kid comes in and hits Mike with a forearm smash. Mike fires off with a chop then whips Dynamite into the ropes, catching him with a dropkick that knocks him through the ropes and onto the floor. Referee Dick Kroll orders Mike back to his corner. As he does, a groggy Kevin rolls up Davey Boy for a small package. Kroll is out of position however thanks to him ordering Mike back to his corner and this gives Smith at extra seconds to kick out. Smith kicks out at two. David Crockett says that was a close call for Smith. Kevin tags in Mike who can’t wait to get in. Mike slams Davey Boy down to the mat then bounces off the ropes, dropping a knee across Smith’s head. Mike whips Smith into the ropes and delivers a big back body-drop. Bob Caudle notes that Mike Von Erich isn’t giving Davey Boy any time to react. Mike drops an elbow on Davey Boy then throws him into the ropes, applying the Von Erich Claw in the middle of the ring. Dynamite is still outside on the cement floor, and David Crockett says there’s no telling whether the British Bulldog is hurt. 

Fifteen minutes have gone by now and Mike has the Claw on Davey Boy. Davey Boy goes down to one knee as he struggles to break the hold. Bob Caudle says Davey Boy has already taken a beating and it looks like he’s quickly succumbing to the Von Erich Clawhold. Davey Boy rallies but then falls down to both knees, with Mike clamping down further. David Crockett says this one looks like it’s over. Mike continues with the Clawhold as Smith sinks down onto his back, struggling not to have his shoulders counted while trying to escape the Clawhold. Referee Dick Kroll counts to two, but Davey Boy gets a shoulder up. Kroll raises Davey Boy’s arm and it goes down. He raises the Bulldog’s arm again and it goes down. One more time and it’s curtains for the Bulldogs. David Crockett shouts “Look at that!” as the Dynamite Kick hits a missile dropkick off the top rope, sending Mike flying backwards to the mat. Kevin runs in and unloads with fists on Dynamite. Bob Caudle says tempers are flaring and that’s no surprise considering the stakes in this match. Kevin and Dynamite are fighting like two wild men as Dick Kroll tries to separate them, but to no avail. Kevin and Dynamite take their fight outside the ring where they exchange punches. Dick Kroll orders them back to their corners but they ignore him. Headbutt by Dynamite dazes Kevin and the Bulldog follows up by ramming Kevin’s head into the mat apron. Back in the ring, Mike Von Erich is up first, but he’s on rubber legs street. He slowly climbs to the top rope as Davey Boy is laid out in the center of the ring. Dick Kroll ignores the action outside the ring and focuses his attention on the two legal men. Mike climbs to the top rope and seems to be getting his bearings back. He pauses for a moment at the top then dives off the top rope with a high-cross bodyblock. However, Davey Boy uses the momentum and flips Von Erich over, rolling him up for a 1-2-3. Bob Caudle says Davey Boy must have been playing possum or he’d wouldn’t have been able to do that. 

Winners: The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid). 

After the match, David Crockett plugs Fritz’ microphone cord back in and smiles. In the ring, Dick Kroll raises Davey Boy’s arm in victory as Dynamite and Kevin continue brawling.

COMING UP NEXT!
Join us next time as Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen take on the Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal). Fans had best batten down the hatches for this one. Who will advance to round four as in the quest for tag team glory and some serious cash!

* * * * * * * * * * * *


PREVIOUS POSTS IN THE CROCKETT CUP '85 FANTASY SERIES

Original Tournament Announcement (May 2020)

Seedings and First Round Pairings Announced


THIRD ROUND MATCHES
[ Scouting Report ] [ Brackets ]

Third Round: Match 1 (Tournament Match #33)
     The Rock & Roll Express vs. The Russians
Third Round: Match 2 (Tournament Match #34)
     Ole & Arn Anderson vs. Antonio Inoki and Seiji Sakaguchi
Third Round: Match 3 (Tournament Match #35)
     Midnight Express vs. High Flyers
Third Round: Match 4 (Tournament Match #36)
     Kevin and Mike Von Erich vs. The British Bulldogs


SECOND ROUND MATCHES
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
Second Round: Matches 13 & 14 (Tournament 29 & 30)
    Rhodes/Murdoch vs. Adams/Hernandez
    Sheik/Volkoff vs. Steamboat/Snuka
Second Round: Matches 15 & 16 (Tournament 31 & 32)
    Fantastics vs. Fabulous Ones
    Sheepherders vs. Freebirds


FIRST ROUND MATCHES

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

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Ed Capral Signs Off Wide World Wrestling (Audio Recording)

Originally posted on our Studio Wrestling website.

by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

From 1975-1978, legendary wrestling announcer Ed Capral hosted Wide World Wrestling, a brand new program at that time for Jim Crockett Promotions.

Capral was the longtime host for pro wrestling in Atlanta on channel 11 until the Atlanta wrestling wars of the mid-1970s, when he jumped ship to the upstart All South Wrestling promotion run by Ann Gunkle, the widow of the late Ray Gunkle, an amateur and pro wrestler who was a major star in the southeast. All South lost the war to the stalwart NWA wrestling promotion and Capral found himself without an announcing job.

Jim Crockett hired him to host their brand new program, and Capral brought his classic old-school announcing style to TV stations across the Mid-Atlantic area.

Ed Capral with NWA World Champion Harley Race on the set of
Wide World Wrestling.


We present here a vintage audio clip from of Ed signing off an episode of Wide World Wrestling in 1977 and previewing the matches that would be seen on the show the following week. That line-up, by the way, was loaded with talent including a young Tully Blanchard going up against NWA World Champion Harley Race.

For the record, here is match list Capral announced:

  • Harley Race vs. Tully Blanchard
  • Ric Flair & Greg Valentine vs. Roberto Soto & Jimmy Garvin
  • Dick Murdoch vs. Danny Miller
  • Ricky Steamboat & Paul Jones vs. Scott Irwin & Ricky Ferrara
  • Wahoo McDaniel vs. Charlie Fulton

And of course the familiar barter announcement and the classic Wide World Wrestling theme music plays along, one of my favorite TV wrestling themes of all time. (More on that music here.)

Enjoy this little audio blast from the past!

 

ED CAPRAL SIGNS OFF WIDE WORLD WRESTLING

 

 

Audio is courtesy of the collection of Gary Wray. Originally posted in February 2021 on the Studio Wrestling website, part of the Mid-Atlantic Gateway family of websites.  

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Jim Crockett, Jr. appears on Conversations with Conrad

Conrad Thompson has launched the second episode in his landmark series "Conversations with Conrad" as part of his Ad Free Shows platform on Patreon. The newest episode is part one of a conversation with the former president of Jim Crockett Promotions,  Jim Crockett, Jr.

Part One is approximately 2.5 hours covering an array of topics going back to his father Jim Crockett, Sr.'s earliest days in promoting wrestling in the 1930s to the family business exploding in the mid-1980s, and every possible thing in between. Part two, coming later will take it from there forward.

plus, as an added bonus, there is a huge "Easter egg" at the end of this episode featuring 8mm arena footage shot in Norfolk, Virginia in the early 1980s by George Pantas featuring Ric Flair, Wahoo McDaniel, Abdullah the Butcher, Roddy Piper, Jack Brisco, Sgt. Slaughter, Don Kernodle, Ricky Steamboat, Jay Youngblood and others. 

For more information on how you can become a patron of Ad Free Shows and enjoy the amazing amount of content there,  visit the Ad free Shows site on Patreon.com.

Big Gold's 35th Birthday

 


Saturday, February 13, 2021

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!

We hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day weekend. Buy your sweetie a dozen roses, some chocolate candy . . . and then make them watch some old Mid-Atlantic Wrestling shows. Of course, beware of a big hammer out of nowhere and a "flying elbow smash" (as the great Bob Caudle used to call it.) If you're lucky, you'll finish up with some sort of romantic figure-four leg-lock!

Friday, February 12, 2021

Slam Wrestling reviews Crown Jewel

Slam! Wrestling graphic

BOURNE GIVES READERS A ‘CROWN JEWEL’ OF A BOOK
by Greg MosorJak for Slam! Wrestling (slamwrestling.net)

When it comes to the history of wrestling as it concerns the Jim Crockett National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territory that includes Virginia and North and South Carolina, Dick Bourne is the foremost authority. A native of Mount Airey, NC, Bourne is not only interested in the history of the NWA, but also the design and lineage of its championship belts. Bourne has written several books on the history of the NWA title belts and his most recent is Crown Jewel: The NWA Championship 1959-1973, out now and self-published.  It is a short but comprehensive look at the title reigns of seven NWA champions in this time frame....

READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW HERE.


Thursday, February 11, 2021

Mid-Atlantic TV Report: May 28, 1983

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling on
the WWE Network

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
TV Summaries & Reviews
by David Taub
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor

This is a review of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as it appeared on the WWE Network. Results are included for the week (Monday-Sunday of the given week) as available. Please email with any corrections, typos, results, other details at 1davidtaub@gmail.com. Follow @TaubGVWire

For links to all available summaries as well as links to the Mid-Atlantic Championship Podcast, visit our TV Summary Index.


Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Original broadcast: 05/28/83
(taped 5/25/83 at WPCQ-TV studios in Charlotte)
WWE Network Direct Link to this show Mid-Atlantic 05/28/83
WWE Network feed.

[TAPE][GEORGIA] Int. w/Gordon Solie: Ric Flair
We start right away with Solie speaking to Flair from an episode of World Championship Wrestling.  Flair, alternating between humble and boastful, says he is the greatest champion of all time.

Match 1
Bob Orton Jr. d. Ricky Harris

Tommy Young is the referee for the hour. Orton is back in Mid-Atlantic after a stint in Southwest. Caudle talks about The Brisco Brothers injuring Jim Nelson from last week. He may be out for a long time. Enough to turn Russian! The Network edition of the tape fails. Orton gets the pin. The replay shows he won with a suplex, then floating over.

Bob Caudle notes that Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood have been so busy, they couldn’t be in studio, so they taped comments earlier in the week.
[TAPE] Comments from Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood. The duo talks about how busy they have been. Youngblood notes they are both from the south, and they will fight like Southern Boys.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: The Brisco Brothers
Jerry has a Tampa police t-shirt. They note Steamboat & Youngblood’s absence. They dismiss injuring Nelson.

[Break]

Match 2
Non-Title: Greg Valentine [U.S. Champion] d. Keith Larson

Caudle talks about the Brisco Brothers competitive desire as the reason they are going after the tag title. Caudle says One Man Gang & Kelly Kiniski will be here, the new Mid-Atlantic tag team champions. Valentine garners the submission by just yanking on Larson’s leg.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Greg Valentine
Caudle says Roddy Piper still can’t appear in studio because of his injury, so the cameras went to his house. We go to the clip.
[TAPE] Roddy is in the back of his pickup with his dalmatian. Piper thanks the fans for their letters. He is getting better, at least to drive his truck, but not better to return to the ring. Valentine insults Piper. Says the finance company took away his Cadillac. Valentine doesn’t care if Piper can’t make a living. Valentine talks about upcoming matches against Ric Flair. But, this time they will be for Valentine’s title.

[Break]

Match 3
Non-Title: One Man Gang & Kelly Kiniski [Mid-Atlantic Tag Champs] (w/Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Vinnie Valentino & Ken Hall

Caudle talks about Piper and how grateful he is to the fans. No specific mention of when, where and how Gang & Kiniski won the Mid-Atlantic tag title. It was 5/23/83 in Greenville in a four-team tournament, the final over Mike Rotundo & Rufus R. Jones.

[CLIP][Wide World Wrestling]
We go to a clip from last week’s World Wide Wrestling for One Man Gang’s body slam challenge. Vinnie Valentino is the challenger. But, Bugsy McGraw is the last minute substitute. McGraw looks like he has it, but Humperdink interferes. Gang hits the splash, and cuts some of Bugsy’s hair. David Crockett is the host of this segment, by the way. Bugsy goes nuts afterward.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: One Man Gang, Kelly Kiniski and Sir Oliver Humperdink.
This is in lieu of local promos. The Mid-Atlantic tag titles look brand new. Nice and shiny. Humperdink does mention they won the vacant title in a tournament. Humperdink also talks about Bugsy McGraw.

[Break]

[TAPE] Comments from Dick Slater
Taped comments from Slater on the World Wide set. He is sick of his suspension. He dares Johnny Weaver to insult him to his face.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Jos LeDuc
Caudle notes Great Kabuki defeated LeDuc for the NWA TV championship (5/23/83 in Greenville). LeDuc says he feels naked. He says Gary Hart is to blame. He talks about Slater. He says he was suspended too. Not because he was good. Because he was bad.

[TAPE][World Championship Wrestling/WTBS] Clip of Ric Flair vs. Mike Starbuck
We go to a clip from WCW, with Gordon Solie on commentary, and Scrappy McGowan as the referee. Solie at times calls Flair’s opponent “Barber.” Flair wins with the figure four.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Gary Hart, Great Kabuki, Magic Dragon
Hart is holding the TV title belt. He says no one has ever taken anything away from an Asian in history. It won’t happen now. Hart talks about his injunction to prevent Jimmy Valiant from wearing his goggles.

[Break]

Match 4
Jake Roberts (w/Paul Jones) d. Rick McCord

Jones joins Caudle on the commentary. He says his contest to win a Paul Jones poster is going great. Roberts wins easily with the still-unnamed DDT. The original bumper music airs during the replay.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Paul Jones, Dory Funk Jr., Jake Roberts
The Paul Jones poster is in the background. The contest address on Briarbend Dr. is up on the screen (last week, it was blurred out). Jones says anyone who sent him gifts has been disqualified. Thanks to the overwhelming result, he is extending the essay to 50 words! Paul reads a letter from a 24-year old women who writes he is a hunk. Jones berates it as unoriginal. He reads another letter saying he is better looking than Tom Selleck. Nothing from Funk & Roberts.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Paul Jones, Dory Funk Jr., Jake Roberts
This is in lieu of local promos. More about the contest. Jones finally talks about his men.

[Break]

Match 5
Rufus R. Jones & Jimmy Valiant d. Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco

Paul Jones stays on for commentary. The match starts off with a brawl. The Briscos try to get down to wrestling. Valiant sells by convulsing on the mat. Aggressive style by the Briscos. Valiant ducks out of the way, and Jerry nails Jack. Jones calls it a coward move. Rufus comes in with the hot tag. Nice leg take down on Jack. All four men in the ring. Rufus hits the headbutt on Jerry and gets the pin. Jones is incensed! Jack was the legal man. Barely audible because of the Network audio edits. The credits roll and the Briscos continue to beat on Valiant & Jones. A stuff piledriver on the mat against Valiant. A beatdown outside the ring for Rufus. Lots of heel heat to close this one out.

*******************************************

Results for the week, 5/23/83-5/29/83
(source: Clawmaster’s Archive via Sports and Wrestling blog posted by David Baker; “Wrestling” newsletter by Joe Shedlock)

Mon., 5/23/83 Greenville, SC; Memorial Auditorium
Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Tournament

One Man Gang & Kelly Kiniski beat Jimmy Valiant & Bugsy McGraw in NWA Mid Atlantic Tag Title tournament
Mike Rotundo & Rufus R. Jones beat Dory Funk, Jr. & Jake Roberts in NWA Mid Atlantic Tag Title tournament
Keith Larson beat Jacques Goulet
Rick McCord beat Magic Dragon
Great Kabuki beat Jos LeDuc to win NWA Television Title
One Man Gang & Kelly Kiniski beat Mike Rotundo & Rufus R. Jones to win NWA Mid Atlantic Tag Title in tournament final
Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco beat Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood by DQ

Tue., 5/24/83 Columbia, SC; Township Auditorium
Masa Fuchi d. Rick Connors
Johnny Weaver d. Rick Harris
Bugsy McGraw d. Magic Dragon
Dory Funk, Jr. & Jake Roberts beat Mike Rotundo & Rufus R. Jones
Street fight: Jimmy Valiant d. Great Kabuki 

Tue., 5/24/83 Raleigh, NC; Raleigh Civic Center
Masa Fuchi & Ricky Harris beat Red Dog Lane & Abe Jacobs
Vinnie Valentino beat Bill White
Jacques Goulet beat Ken Hall
Rick McCord beat Gene Anderson
One Man Gang beat Jos LeDuc
Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco beat Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood by DQ

Wed., 5/25/83 Charlotte, NC;  WCPQ Studios(TV)
Bob Orton, Jr. beat Ricky Harris
Greg Valentine beat Keith Larson
One Man Gang & Kelly Kiniski beat Ken Hall & Vinnie Valentino
Jimmy Valiant & Rufus R. Jones beat Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco
Jake Roberts beat Rick McCord

Thu., 5/26/83 Norfolk, VA; Scope Coliseum
Rufus R. Jones beat Jake Roberts
NWA World Champion Ric Flair beat Greg Valentine
Plus other matches

Fri., 5/27/83 Charleston, SC; County Hall
Jimmy Valiant beat Great Kabuki
Rufus R. Jones beat Jake Roberts
Bugsy McGraw beat Magic Dragon
Ricky Harris & Masa Fuchi beat Abe Jacobs & Red Dog Lane
Vinnie Valentino draw Keith Larsen

Fri., 5/27/83 Richmond, VA; Coliseum
Johnny Weaver d. Jacques Goulet
Mike Rotundo d. Kelly Kiniski
Bob Orton, Jr. d. Gene Anderson
Jos LeDuc d. One Man Gang
Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco d. Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood by DQ
NWA World Championship: Greg Valentine d. Ric Flair by DQ

Sat., 5/28/83 Charlotte, NC; Coliseum
Gene Anderson & Jacques Goulet beat Mike Davis & Keith Larson
Vinnie Valentino beat Masa Fuchi
Bob Orton, Jr. beat Bill White
Wahoo McDaniel beat Magic Dragon
Great Kabuki beat Jimmy Valiant by countout
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco
Greg Valentine beat NWA World Champion Ric Flair by DQ

Sun., 5/29/83 Asheville, NC; Civic Center
Vinnie Valentino beat Bill White
Keith Larson & Mike Davis beat Jacques Goulet & Ricky Harris
Wahoo McDaniel beat Jake Roberts
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Mike Rotundo
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco
Greg Valentine beat NWA World Champion Ric Flair

Sun., 5/29/83 Toronto, Ontario; Maple Leaf Gardens
NWA World Champion Ric Flair beat Greg Valentine
Don Muraco beat Rocky Johnson
Mike Rotundo beat Dory Funk, Jr. in a $100,000 challenge match
Leo Burke beat Johnny Weaver
Kelly Kiniski beat Nick DeCarlo
The Executioner beat Joe Marcus
Billy Red Lyons beat Tim Gerrard
Bob Marcus beat Alex Gerrard

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Road Trip! Blackjack Mulligan's Public House


This place may have been founded by Blackjack's Irish cousins. He and his west Texas crew never mentioned it to us while we were out visiting in Odessa and Sweetwater.

So how did we not know about this place? Blackjack Mulligan's Public House, two locations, one in Garfield, NJ, the other in Secaucus, NJ.

A future Mid-Atlantic Gateway Board Meeting is going to be held there. Last barstools on the right. I guess we'll flip a coin to figure out which location, although I'm thinking Garfield because they have Rib Night every Thursday.

This place has happy hour - - for seven straight hours! Road trip!