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!

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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