Post by managermike99 on Aug 12, 2013 0:05:09 GMT -5
August 2, 1986
River City Wrestling #247
Billings, Montana
Review of Wrestling Summit 3, set to "the Best of Times" by Styx including Backlund's win over Sammartino, Disalvo's decisive win over Destroyer, Hollywood taking the women's title from Misty Blue Simmes, and the Longriders coming out ahead against the Road Warriors, and all the other great action and stories from the event.
Promo:
The Destroyer sends in an interview from his house, as he stands out on his tennis court with shorts, sneakers, t-shirt, and of course black and white mask. He says that he would never make excuses for his loss against Disalvo but perhaps his ego got the best of him, that he was egged on to return to action too soon. The masked man says he is going to take the rest of the month off to fully recover from his injuries, as per his doctors orders, and he will be back in September. He looks forward to competing again against Disalvo, and in the annual September Battle Royale to win a title shot against Bob Backlund. He thanks the fans for all their support and well wishes.
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, with announcers David McClane & Wally George
LeLani Kai defeated California Doll by pinfall after a piledriver at 6:21
-fairly easy win for Kai as she tries to stay in the run for a title shot now held by Hollywood
Interview:
Wally George interviews Hollywood, congratulating her on her title win at Wrestling Summit 3 over Misty Blue Simmes. As Hollywood goes on, she is interrupted by George who seems disturbed by the fact that she hasn't given him props yet for helping her win the title. Hollywood turns poisonous, telling him she never asked for his help and would have won the belt clean if it wasn't for him. He puts his arm around her waist as he tries to talk sweet to her. She pulls at his arm, and then twists him to the ground. She tells him if he ever touches her again she'll mess him up good.
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, with announcers David McClane & Wally George
North American Women's Title Match
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Hollywood by disqualification for outside interference at 8:03
-Simmes was on the verge of winning her title back. She was perched on the top rope when Wally George left the announce table, climbed onto the apron and knocked Simmes off the top, getting Hollywood disqualified.
Promo:
Paramount Pictures is proud to release to theatres this weekend, Friday the 13th Part VI : Jason Lives
Tommy goes to a graveyard to get rid of Jason' body, but accidently brings him back to life. Jason wants revenge, and Tommy wants to get rid of Jason once and for all.
Kill or be Killed.
Bout #3
Premiere of the Midnight Rockers
The Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) defeated Mario Mancini & Gene Swan by pinfall when Jannetty pinned Swan after a Northern Lights suplex at 5:50
-squash match for this impressive team just arrived from the AWA.
Interview:
The high energy duo of the Midnight Rockers bring a dynamic to RCW that we haven't seen since the departure of the Fabulous Ones. They say they don't care who holds the titles, whether its the Longriders, the Road Warriors, the Kiniski Brothers, or R&R, they are going after gold and nothing is going to stop them. They invite all the girls out there in the RCW arenas to come out and party with them after the shows.
Promo:
Universal Pictures wants you to quack up this weekend, as it releases a new breed of hero, Howard the Duck to theatres across the nation.
Lea Thompson and Jeffrey Jones co-star with America's favorite billable superhero. A sarcastic humanoid duck is pulled from his homeworld to Earth where he must stop an alien invader. Trapped in a world he never made.
More adventure than humanly possible.
Bout #4
Manny Silva defeated Ace Brandon by pinfall after a wheelbarrow suplex at 1:14
-total squash match
Post-Match:
Mad Dog Manny Silva was scheduled to be interviewed and to gloat abour his victory over Mad Dog Vachon, but for some reason he refused to be interviewed. So Ron Strong called out Phillip Navarre instead to be interviewed. He was disapointed in his loss to Lex Lugar at WS3 but is ready to get back to business this week in RCW. He gives a bit of a preview of his match coming next against Nick Kiniski.
Promo: Tonight on the Evening News
-Former Lebanon hostage Father Lawrence Jenco's homecoming
-Death of attorney Roy Cohn from complications linked to AIDS reported. Cohn's career, include association with Senator Joe McCarthy, reviewed. His participation in prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg recalled.
-Would-be 1988 presidential candidate television evangelist Pat Robertson reported announcing formation of exploratory committee
-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duke and Duchess of York, reported returning from honeymoon
[end of first hour]
Interview:
RCW Champion Bob Backlund accepts the congratulatory cheers of the crowd as he comes to the ring in dress clothes, walking rather gingerly. He says it was a huge win over Sammartino, a moment and a night he will never forget. It doesn't matter to him that the finish was a bit flukey, as a win is a win. Backlund says that he woke up Sunday morning after the event feeling like he had wrestled a grizzly bear, and that is exactly what wrestling Bruno is like. The RCW champ says he is still resting this week but that come next week he will be back, and the first item on the agenda seems to be to shut up the big mouth Steve Disalvo.
Interview:
Steve Blackman and Great Gama are interviewed backstage. Gama says that he was sick and tired of watching Ben Bassarab retain his TV title by cheating, and paying off the refs. Since Bassarab was ducking him he found another way to make sure that justice is done. He has been granted an RCW manager's license, and is going to be managing Steve Blackman in his rematch tonight against Ben Bassarab. He tells Bassarab that it won't be so easy to hold onto his title now that the playing field is level.
Bout #5
Phillip Navarre defeated Nick Kiniski (/w Lisa Caress) by pinfall after the coup de grace at 8:58
-tough bout for Navarre to work through. Constant distractions and interference by Lisa, including playing up to Navarre's chivalrous demeanor. Couple this with Kiniski's rulebreaking and Navarre overcame a great deal of adversity.
Post-Match:
Phillip Navarre was being interviewed on the tough nature of his latest victory when Manny Silva came out to the ring to interrupt.
He demanded to know why Navarre got to face a "real" opponent while he faced some greenhorn who didn't even know how to lace up his boots properly. Navarre and Strong tried their best to steer Silva over to commissioner Goldstein's office but Silva would have none of it. When he placed his hands on Ron Strong then Navarre stepped in the way. He called Silva a bully, and if he wants a real opponent next week he has one; himself. Silva accepts the challenge with a look of glee on his face.
Bout #6
#1 Contenders Match
Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad defeated Dan Kroffat & Brady Boone by pinfall when Gallahad pinned Boone after a reverse suplex at 10:25
-Lyon and Gallahad controlled early, working over Boone's throat. The match pace picked up and this allowed Boone to make a comeback, tag in Kroffat who went to work with his martial arts attack. Lyon came in to double team, and a four man brawl ensued. Outside the ring Gallahad threw Kroffat head first into the steel barrier. Back inside it was 2 on 1 until referee Kenny Jay could restore order. It appeared to be too late though as Gallahad tried to finish off Boone with his Gallahad Lance (missile dropkick). But Boone managed to move out of the way. He made a comeback, and instead of tagging out to the still groggy looking Blackman he made the mistake of climbing to the top buckle. He went for a moonsault from the top, but Gallahad moved out of the way and then nailed the reverse suplex to pick up the win.
Interview:
Chris Lyon and Kid Gallahad remain in the ring. Every week Lyon seems to be less manic then the one before. In fact he is somewhat lethargic after the match. Lyon reminds us that he has held the tag titles before with Mike Valiant and with Bobby Duncum. He says Gallahad will help him regain those titles. Gallahad says that no one believes they can beat the Longriders after the way they have rolled over the Road Warriors, the Kiniskis, and the Fabulous Ones. But Gallahad says that those teams all have one strength in common; they have tag partners that are either their blood or they treat like brothers. Gallahad says he and Lyon are going to use that to their advantage, something the other teams could not, because quite frankly Gallahad says, we don't give a crap about each other, or anyone else except for ourself. Lyon nods his agreement.
Promo: Returning to NBC this fall, for its third season, the hit cop show "Hunter"
Former NFL football player, Fred Dryer, stars as Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer stars as his partner, Detective Sergeant Dee Dee McCall. Hunter and McCall investigate homicides for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Hunter returns to the job saturday night September 27th, when a television reporter accuses Hunter of firing his weapon unnecessarily.
Main Event
RCW Television Title Match
Ben Bassarab defeated Steve Blackman by disqualification for outside interference at 7:11
[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW Television title]
-Bassarab pretty much seems to have solved Blackman the last couple of weeks, and controlled most of this match. The couple flurries of offense snuck in by Blackman came as a result of his new manager Great Gama distracting the young champion. When these tactics failed to get the desired result and Bassarab had nailed Blackman with his flying crossbody block finisher, Gama entered the ring and pulled Bassarab off Blackman by the hair.
Post-Match:
It was two on one with Gama and Blackman doing a number on Bassarab. Just as Blackman left to get his nunchucks to do more damage the save was made by Dan Kroffat and Brady Boone.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!!
August 9, 1986
River City Wrestling #248
Fargo, North Dakota
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
Americana defeated Little Egypt by pinfall at 7:03
-The announcers spent most of the match arguing about Wally George's actions in dethroning Simmes and helping Hollywood win the title.
Interview:
Misty Blue Simmes is interviewed and is undestandably mad at Hollywood and George. In fact she tries to confront Wally George at the announce table but the coward back peddles through the crowd to safety. Finally Hollywood comes out with her occasional tag team partner Vine. Hollywood says that she will grant Simmes a rematch for the title next week if she can win a match tonight. Simmes agrees but then Hollywood says it will be a handi-cap match; Simmes taking on both members of Heavy Metal, with Wally George as special guest referee.
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
Handi-cap match - Special guest referee Wally George
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Heavy Metal by pinfall when Simmes pinned Chainsaw at 8:47
-Predicatable match with Simmes starting strong but the numbers becoming too great after a few minutes. Heavy Metal worked over Simmes for a while before the former champion made the big comeback. Just when she was ready to apply the pin, George went down like he was shot, a phantom ref bump. Out came another ref, a female, but it was actually Vine who attacked Simmes from behind, in effect making it a 3 on 1. This brought out Amerciana who dragged Vine out of the ring and drove her to the back. Back inside Heavy Metal had Simmes set up for a double team, with the camera catching a downed Wally George peeking to see what was going on. But Simmes moved out of the way and Spike nailed Chainsaw instead. Simmes ejected Spike from the ring. She then went over to where George feigned hurt, turned him over, and kissed him gently on the mouth. George's eyes slammed open and with a confused but lusty look on his face he went over and made the 1, 2, 3, count for Simmes.
Bout #3
Irish Pat Barrett defeated Kelly Kiniski by pinfall after an Irish whip and rollup at 5:14
-upset victory for Barrett despite Kiniski having controlled most of the match
Interview:
Bob Backlund is interviewed. Basically he makes it clear he is not ducking anyone, including Steve Disalvo. Now that he is past Wrestling Summit and Disalvo is clearly the #1 contender a title match needs to be set. Backlund says sooner is better then later so he has requested that match occur as tonight's main event.
Bout #4
Midnight Rockers defeated Johnny K-9 and Nick DeCarlo by pinfall when Shawn Michaels pinned DeCarlo after a superkick at 6:36
-glorified squash match
Interview:
Midnight Rockers are interviewed and specifically speak about wrestling against the Kiniski Brothers in the weeks to come.
Promo: On Tonight's Evening News
-Apparent outcome of President Reagan's urological exam today. Reagan reported undergoing drug test as well today to promote his anti-drug campaign
-Islamic Jihad terrorists reported rejecting Anglican envoy Terry Waite's overtures to negotiate release of remaining United States hostages in Lebanon
-Demonstration in Berlin protesting upcoming anniversary of construction of Berlin Wall
-Army audit reported finding Army hires mentally unstable, felons and others posing threat to security to guard nuclear warhead facilities
[end of first hour]
Interview:
Strangler Steve Disalvo is interviewed basically going over how he intends to not only caputre Backlund's title tonight but to cripple him and end his wrestling career.
Bout #5
Steve Blackman & Great Gama defeated Ben Bassarab & Dan Kroffat by pinfall when Gama pinned Bassarab after Blackman hit him with nonchucks at 9:00
-basically a decent tag match with some good heat, but the main purpose is to set up another Bassarab versus Gama match for the TV title.
Interview:
Blackman and Gama give themselves a pat on the back and give a congratulatory self promotion interview. However, Ben Bassarab interrupts when he bursts on the scene, his head bandaged from the nonchucks attack, and goes right after them. However, its two on one and the villians beat him down until Kroffat arrives to make the save.
Bout #6
Phillip Navarre and Manny Silva battled to a no-contest at 6:23
-a wild brawl, which is not how Navarre wanted it but was exactly how Silva wanted it. Both wrestlers ignored referee instructions and Silva bled like a stuck pig. Finally as the two battled behind the announce table, and Silva grabbed a purse from the audience and hit Navarre in the head with it, referee Kenny Jay had seen enough and threw out the match.
Post-Match:
The combatants continued to ignore referee instructions and Navarre was now busted open. Several RCW officials arrived on the scene to break it up but they were pushed aside by Silva and Navarre who continued to brawl, now into the stands. They found themselves brawling in a hockey penalty box where Navarre hit Silva with a rubber pylon, and Navarre then hit back with a hockey stick. Finally they were broken up by sheer volume of officials on the scene.
Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Bob Backlund (champion) v Steve Disalvo
Backlund tried to start with a collar-elbow hook-up but Disalvo pounded him down with a double ax-handle. He continued to pound the champ with axhandle chops, a backbreaker, and some knees to the back. He then threw Backlund out of the ring and went right after him, slamming him back first against the ring apron, and then against the steel guard rail. Disalvo then clotheslined the champ over the guardrail.
The challenger was forced to flee back to the ring to break up the 10 count, and when he returned outside Backlund was ready for him catching him with a forearm smash. But when the champ followed up with a dropkick, Disalvo was able to shake off the effects, and catch Backlund with a vicious clothesline as he got back up. Disalvo then press slammed Backlund back into the ring.
Inside he continued to work over the back with a double armbar and headbutting the lower back, a standing surfboard, and a couple more backbreakers. Backlund though kicked out of all pin attempts. The Boston native then put the champ into a double armbar but with his head pushed against the lowerback of the champ. He held this hold for about a minute but Backlund refused to submit.
Disalvo tried to finish the match with a piledriver but Backlund countered with a back body drop, which further hurt his back. Disalvo went back after the champ with a clothesline attempt but Backlund ducked under and caught Disalvo on the bounce back with another dropkick. Backlund hit his atomic drop finisher but referee Buddy Lane was caught off guard crossing over position, and Disalvo collided with him, knocking him out. Disalvo also took a powder outside the ring. As Backlund looked over and tried to help Buddy Lane, Disalvo snuck back into the ring with the ringbell. He lined up Backlund for a shot but the champ noticed at the last second and took the challenger down with a drop toe hold. Disalvo's head bounced off the ringbell as they hit the mat, and knocked him out cold. Backlund picked up the ringbell just as Buddy Lane looked over, to see Backlund standing over a knocked out Disalvo and holding the ringbell. A groggy Lane called for the bell.
Steve Disalvo defeated Bob Backlund by disqualification for using a foreign object at 10:10
[Bob Backlund retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!!
August 16, 1986
River City Wrestling #249
Duluth, Minnesota
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
10-Woman over the top battle royal, winner to get title shot next week
10. Matilda
9. Tina Ferrari
8. California Doll
7. Chainsaw
6. Americana
5. Spike
4. Vine
3. Little Egypt
2. LeLani Kai
Winner:. Tammy Jones (9:03)
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
North American Women's Title Match
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Hollywood by pinfall after some botched interference at 6:59
[Misty Blue Simmes wins the North American Women's Title]
-Hollywood used her cheating ways to stay ahead through most of this match. However, once she got the rally going Wally George tried to help out Hollywood with a trip, once again leaving his position at the announce table, only to trip up Hollywood by accident instead.
Bout #3
Brady Boone defeated Johnny K-9 by pinfall after a moonsault at 5:30
-squash match
Interview:
RCW champion Bob Backlund is discoraged over his disqualification loss last week to Steve Disalvo. He says he would have thought that any referee in RCW would know he wouldn't have used a foreign object and he shouldn't have lost that bout. Ron Strong agrees with Backlund. Referee Buddy Lane comes out in person to apologize to Backlund. He says he was groggy and that's why he called for the bell. He tells Backlund that he believes Backlund is a class act and should not have been disqualified. Furthermore, Lane says he was wrong regardless of who the wrestler was involved because he called something he didn't actually see. Backlund accepts his apology and the two men shake hands.
Bout #4
Irish Pat Barrett defeated Nick DeCarlo by pinfall after an Irish whip into a roll-up at 6:07
-another squash match although DeCarlo got in some ground attack offense. Both men were veterans and wrestled an old style mat contest that was not really appreciated or awarded by the fans.
Interview:
Strangler Steve Disalvo comes out and he's steaming mad. First off he says Bob Backlund, the paper champion of RCW, hit him in the head with the ring bell for no reason. Ron Strong scoffs at Disalvo reminding him that it was he who brought the ring bell into the ring. Disalvo very quietly asks Strong, "did I hit Backlund with the bell?". Strong replies no but that was your intention wasn't it, just that Bob reacted fast enough to take you down with a drop toehold and your head hit the ring bell. Disalvo says "see you just admitted that Backlund used a move that hit me in the head with the ringbell, I did not hit him. Therefore the DQ was the right call." Strong scoffs again asking Disalvo why he brought the ring bell in then, to which the big man replies, "I was going to ring the bell next to Buddy Lane to try and wake him up...I felt so bad when he got knocked down." Strong just stands there with his jaw slack, not sure how to reply. Disalvo fills the silence with more rhetoric. He says now Lane is shaking hands with the champ and basically saying "I owe you one." Disalvo says this is unacceptable and that as the challenger who has been wronged he should be able to assign his own referee to the rematch next week - and it shouldn't be any of the tainted RCW officials.
[end of first hour]
Promo;
New on ABC TV this fall, Lucille Ball returns to television after a 12 year hiatus with her new comedy "Life With Lucy", airing Saturdays at 8:00pm.
Lucy Barker (Lucille Ball( is an energetic, health conscious grandmother who comes to live with her daughter, son-in-law and their two kids in South Pasadena.
Returning to ABC on Wednesday nights at 9:00pm is the hit prime time soap "Dynasty" starring Joan Collins and John Forsyth. This season opnes with Blake in financial ruin as Alexis prepares to take over. This drives him to the edge and he tries to strangle his ex-wife Alexis while his evil brother cheers him on.
Bout #5
Midnight Rockers (Michaels & Jannetty) defeated The Kiniski Brothers (/w Lisa Caress) by pinfall when Jannetty pinned Nick after a Northern lights suplex at 7:23
-solid back and forth match but the Rockers are one of the best young teams in the game and are on a collision course to an RCW Tag Title match.
Interview:
The Midnight Rockers try and call out Lisa Caress back to the ring to join them, and to drop that stiff Nick Kiniski. When this fails they exit out to the crowd. After a commercial break we are back in the ring and both Rockers have a girl from the crowd hanging onto their arm and waists. The Rockers say they are on their way to the top of the wrestling business, and they are going to do it together, they are an instant party no matter where they go. Now all they have left to do is wait and watch to see who it will be. The Longriders or Gallahad & Lyon, it makes no difference to the cocky Rockers.
Bout #6
RCW Television Title
Ben Bassarab defeated Steve Blackman (/w Great Gama) by pinfall after a German suplex at 8:30
[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW TV Title]
-nothing new from Bassarab and Blackman, although the ref did kind of even the odds before the match by having the nonchucks removed from ringside. Bassarab still had to overcome constant interference from Great Gama however.
Post-Match:
Gama hit the ring and helped Blackman double team the champ. Bassarab was finally saved by Dan Kroffat and Brady Boone.
Interview:
Brady Boone and Dan Kroffat are livid. They challenge Blackman and Gama to a tag match next week.
Main Event
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Longriders (Wild Bill & Scott Hogg Irwin) defeated Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad by pinfall when Wild Bill pinned Gallahad after a doomsday device at 8:35
[The Longriders retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
-Longriders used their size and power advantage to control the first couple minutes of this match. Lyon and Gallahad then made a comeback predicated on double teams and cheating. Wild Bill played Ricky Morton for a couple minutes before tagging in his bigger brother. Scott Hogg turned things around with a series of running shoulderblocks on both opponents. He then tagged in his brother, hoisted up Gallahad, and Wild Bill came off the top with the doomsday device while Hogg held Gallahad.
Post-Match:
Strangler Steve Disalvo came to the announce table, grabbed a mic and stood on the table. He told Lyon and Gallahad that they just got screwed over by RCW, and by referee Buddy Lane. That was a clear double team and should not have been allowed to stand as a victory. Disalvo demands that Lane overturn the decision. When he refuses to Disalvo gets into the ring. The tag teams are still mulling around inside the ring so when the Longriders step up to protect Lane, Gallahad and Lyon step up to stand beside Disalvo.
Finally Marty Goldstein comes to the ring. With some reluctance he says that Disalvo has a point. While he totally believes that Buddy Lane has not done anything wrong, the appearnace of propriety is also important. Goldstein tells Disalvo there is no way he is going to cede control over the ref spot for the title match, but will give Disalvo some options. Goldstein says he has some former Stampede refs that can be called in, and since Disalvo just worked Stampede he should be familiar with them. After a few seconds thought Disalvo says he will accept Jurgen Hermann as the referee. Godlstein groans but accepts. Buddy Lane breaks his silence saying that Hermann is inept, and most likely blind and deaf. Goldstein says that Hermann is a registered referee so he will have to do. Disalvo just smiles and rubs his hands together.
Marty Goldstein signs off the show by reminding fans that next week will be a jam packed show with three main event quality matches. The Longriders will once again defend the tag titles against Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad; Phillip Navarre & Manny Silva will tangle in a Streetfight; and of course Bob Backlund will put the RCW title on the line against Steve Disalvo with referee Jurgen Hermann as the official.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!!
August 23, 1986
River City Wrestling #250
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
Vine defeated Tina Ferrari by pinfall at 5:02
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
North American Women's Title Match
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Tammy Jones by pinfall after the superfly at 10:30
[Simmes retained the North American Women's Title]
-an excellent match to end the GLOW-RCW joint venture. Scientific match between two fan favorites.
Promo:
Marty Goldstein and Misty Blue Simmes cut a promo thanking GLOW, David McLane, and all the great wrestlers for their participation this summer and wish them all the best in the fall.
Promo:
G.L.O.W., the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling come to your TV this fall, check your local listings for station and time.
Promo:
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark hosts Midnight Madness every weekend, now with great GLOW-RCW action. Check your local listings.
Bout #3
The Midnight Rockers defeated the Outpatient & Dennis Turner by pinfall when Michaels pinned Turner after a superkick at 4:47
-squash match
Interview:
The Midnight Rockers once again pull out a pair of female fans from the audience to join them in the ring for their interview. They are waiting patiently for the result of tonight's tag team title match, as they are next in line.
Bout #4
Steve Blackman & Great Gama defeated Dan Kroffat & Brady Boone by pinfall when Gama pinned Boone after a gutwrench suplex with his feet on the ropes at 11:11
-Kroffat and Boone controlled most of this match and would have won it but Blackman used his nunchucks to turn the match around, and his partner still had to cheat further to win getting the pin by using his feet on the ropes.
Interview:
As Blackman and Gama are interviewed and gloat about their victory they are confronted by Ben Bassarab about their cheating. Gama says if Bassarab doesn't like it he can meet Blackman again for the TV title. But Bassarab has other ideas challenging Gama instead. The East Indian at first seems taken back but quickly warms to the idea.
[end of first hour]
Interview:
Ron Strong gets an interview with special guest referee Jurgen Hermann for the big main event tonight between Backlund and Disalvo. Strong tactfully asks Hermann if his referee skills have improved at all since his last days in Stampede wrestling. Hermann says that his skills as an official continue to grow every day, and are now even greater then when fans may have seen him last. When Strong though starts talking about him being a special guest referee, Hermann seems confused and then confrontational. He says he was under the impression that he was going to be a regular RCW referee now. The fans boo this comment, and it brings out Marty Goldstein to try and clear up the confusion. He too tries to be tactful saying they are happy to have a seasoned official for the match tonight...but it is a once only gig. Hermann refuses, saying that if thats the case then he's leaving. It's either a contract or nothing. Goldstein seems ready to let him walk until Steve Disalvo comes out and reminds Goldstein that they have a contract for tonight and he doesn't want a biased RCW official. He gives Goldstein the option of Hermann or Mad Dog Manny Silva, or Chris Lyon. Goldstein is boxed into a corner. Finally he says they just happen to need an official as Wyatt Hall has given his notice. However, he tells Hermann flat out that his work is "suspect" and he would be just about his last pick for the job. He tells Hermann he has a contract to be a regular RCW referee, but that if he doesn't do an unbiased job then he will not hesitate to fire him. Hermann agrees with the terms.
Bout #5
Streetfight
Manny Silva defeated Phillip Navarre by pinfall in a street fight at 9:08
-the first 5 minutes of this fight took place on the floor outside the ring, mostly on the side of the entrance ramps, and also up the entrance ramps. Navarre busted Silva open in the 2nd minute over the left eye with his bare fists. Both men had their fists taped. In desperation Silva ended up using his tape by removing it and choking Navarre with it. He forced him to his knees from behind by choking him with the tape, and pushing with his foot against the calf of his opponent. He then laid in a blatant chokesleeper until Navarre was able to slam Silva back into the outside of the ringpost.
Navarre rolled into the ring where the action went for the first time on the night. It was Navarre's turn to do some choking as he used the tag rope to choke Silva. Even as he did this however, the Hawaiian was up to no good, starting to untie the middle turnbuckle. Later after Silva was able to elbow his way out of the choke, and then nail a piledriver, Silva was able to finish tearing off the turnbuckle cover. He then smashed Navarre's head off the exposed steel busting him wide open. He straddled him and laid in fists to the head in a sickening display of anger. This was followed by not one, but two Wheelbarrow suplexes, and finally one more head first smash into the exposed buckle. He then covered for the pin.
Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Longriders defeated Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad by pinfall when Wild Bill pinned Gallahad after a superplex at 8:24
[The Longriders retain the RCW Tag Team Titles]
-although the champions controlled the first couple minutes of this match, Lyon and Gallahad once again found success with double teams. Scott Hogg played Ricky Morton for a couple minutes as Lyon & Gallahad passed a pair of brass knux back and forth, never getting a chance to land a punch though as referee Buddy Lane was Johnny on the spot. Finally with Wild Bill entering the ring unable to watch anymore they got their chance, but Scott Hogg ducked and Chris Lyon on the apron decked his own man Gallahad inside the ring. Scott Hogg managed to crawl over and make the tag. Lyon tried to intervene but Wild Bill sent him flying over the top rope, and then took Gallahad to the top for the win.
Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Special Guest Referee: Jurgen Hermann
Bob Backlund (champion) v Steve Disalvo
Disalvo tried to attack the champion before the opening bell but Backlund was ready and smashed Disalvo's head off the buckle. He then clipped his leg, and took him down to the mat. He tried working over the legs but Disalvo's legs were the size of small redwood trees so he changed tactics and went after the head and neck area. He worked a headlock, a neckvise, and a reverse chinlock. Eventually though Disalvo regained his feet and appeared more angry then hurt. He slapped Backlund with a big forearm. Backlund though reared back and slapped him hard again with a forearm to the chest. Taking it as a challenge Disalvo reared back again, but this time Backlund wasn't just going to stand there and take it. He moved slightly and grabbed the arm of the challenger into an armbar and took him to the mat. Again he worked over the challenger, this time though concentrating on his arm. Eventually this too was overcome by Disalvo who impressed with his strength while nursing that worked arm, by giving Backlund a one-armed bodyslam.
Disalvo went to work with boots, kneedrops, and a pair of elbowdrops for a 2 count. He then nailed a piledriver but again could only get a 2 count. Disalvo took the match outside where he bodyslammed the champ and threw him into the barrier. While this happened Jurgen Hermann looked very intimidated by Disalvo and refused to apply a count. Back inside Disalvo whipped the champ to the ropes for a scoop slam but the champ slid off the side and nailed a side Russian legsweep. He covered Disalvo but only got a 1 count before the challenger kicked out with authority knocking Backund clear out of the ring to the floor below.
Disalvo followed but this time the champ was ready and the two exchanged forearms and punches. Finally Backlund got a roar from the crowd as he scooped up Disalvo and slammed him onto the outside ring mats. Back inside Backlund went to work with a pair of high knee lifts, followed by a belly-to-belly suplex. He tried for the atomic drop finisher but Disalvo fed him a quick elbow to the kisser followed by a huge clothesline. Scooping up the champ he went to work on the back with a pair of backbreakers, and then a bearhug but the champ refused to submit.
Backlund mounted another comeback but this one ended after a minute when Disalvo nailed him with a spinebuster slam. He then left the ring and pulled the champ half way out, so his torso was suspended in mid-air over the ring apron. He laid in a pair of running elbowsmashes to the chest of Backlund, and then turned him over and went to work on the back. Finally getting back onto the ring apron he gave it a running start and then nailed a knee into the lower back of the champ. It appeared to be a devastating blow. The fans jeered both Disalvo, and referee Jurgen Hermann for allowing the match to remain outside the ring without an aggressive count.
Disalvo locked in a bearhug in the middle of the ring. Backlund fought it as long as he could but was looking weak. Jurgen Hermann lifted Backlund's arm in the air, and it fell once, then again, twice, then again, but no, he kept his arm up to avoid the three count. Frustrated Disalvo came off the far ropes for a running clothesline but Backlund ducked under. Disalvo though slammed on the brakes, turned around and clotheslined the champ to the mat. He then took another running start and this time nailed Backlund with the finisher, and got the 1, 2, Backlund's shoulder blade comes off the mat, 3 !! Hermann had his head down and did not notice the shoulderblade come up.
New champion.
Steve Disalvo defeated Bob Backlund by pinfall after a running clothesline at 14:45
[Steve Disalvo won the RCW Heavyweight Title]
Post-Match:
The fans jeer as referee Jurgen Hermann presents Strangler Steve Disalvo with the Heavyweight title belt.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!
August 30, 1986
River City Wrestling #251
Brandon, Manitoba
Opening Bout:
Manny Silva defeated Bill Cody by pinfall with the wheelbarrow suplex at 3:20
-squash match
Interview:
Ron Strong tries to get an interview with Manny Silva but he refuses, walking away. Then he comes back, and says he refuses to talk because he has nothing to say, he has done all his talking in the ring. He walks away, then comes back again. He says it seems though that some people including the management of RCW must be deaf and stupid, because they haven't noticed. He beat Navarre and now he should be the #1 contender and can beat either Backlund or Disalvo, it doesn't matter to him. He stops talking, thinks for a second, then nods and leaves. Then he comes back. He says that's it, that's all the talking he's going to do until he gets his title shot. He leaves. He comes back again, but Ron Strong says "we're out of time". Silva yells, you guys always do this to me, you never let me..
Bout #2
Phillip Navarre defeated Johnny K-9 by pinfall after an inside cradle at 4:40
-K-9 did more damage slapping the mat repeatedly after the loss then he did to his opponent during the match.
Interview:
Phillip Navarre is interviewed and admits to being disapointed with his Streetfight loss last week to Manny Silva. Navarre says that after he beat Kid Gallahad in the Medieval Rules match maybe he got too cocky, and thought he could take on anyone with their rules. He says its obvious that Silva has been fighting on the streets like an abandoned stray dog and knows how to survive. Well the Frenchman says he unfortunately learned how to fight in a wrestling ring...and of course a fencing court...oh yeah, and then there was jousting...but overall he is a scientific wrestler not a brawler, thats the point. It's a long time before retirement so he will just lick his wounds and wait for another chance to prove himself.
Promo:
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer returns this fall to CBS for a hit 3rd season. Starring Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer, the season premiere is on September 27th as Mike is hired by a woman to find her sister, whose disappearance might be connected to a religious talk radio show host.
Bout #3
Irish Pat Barrett defeated the Zodiac by pinfall after an Irish whip and a rollup at 1:23
-an extremely fast match, with Barrett's innocent looking whip to the buckle catching the masked newcomer off guard.
Promo;
Barry Orton is shown at the Minneapolis airport, he is waiting for someone to get off the plane. He tells the camera that he is very excited because he is picking up his new partner right now coming in from Yugoslavia, Chris Markoff. Sure enough a big burly man wearing a fur coat and matching hat (in August) comes through security and greets Orton. Markoff looks into the camera and says "nobody stop us...we come now to U-nited states..to R-C-W...me greatest Eastern block wrestler..him son of great e-marican wrestler Vob Orton Junior. How you puny guys stop us? you can not."
Bout #4
Misty Blue Simmes & Candi Divine battled Lelani Kai & Sherri Martel to a no-contest at 7:38
-Devine and Martel are new to RCW. The match started off rough but controlled enough. Simmes and Devine worked over Kai for a bit before Martel managed to turn things around and it was Devine playing Ricky Morton. Then things got out of hand, and it was started when Martel walked over and slapped Simmes across the face when the North American Women's champ was just standing on the apron hoping for a tag. Things quickly escalated after that and all four women got involved in a catfight in the middle of the ring. It ended when all four women piled onto each other with poor referee Wyatt Hall lying on the bottom of the pile (a going away present perhaps?). His legs were the only thing visible for a good minute, kicking and quivering, and when he finally did emerge with his shirt untucked, he called for the bell and threw the match out.
Interview:
Marty Goldstein comes to the ring and shakes Wyatt Hall's hand. He says the young man is off to University and urges the fans to wish him luck.
However, he says, that means as you know we have added Jurgen Hermann to the staff (this brings out prolonged jeers from the crowd, which Goldstein allows to be heard). At this time he calls out Jurgen Hermann (the jeers get louder).
Goldstein reminds fans and Hermann about Backlund losing the title last week to Disalvo and how his shoulder was clearly up. He asks Hermann flat out if he was biased or incompetent? Hermann takes the mic and says that officiating is a very difficult job, something people like Goldstein would know nothing about because they just watch from the back and second guess. Lots of stuff goes on, and occasionally yes something gets missed. Now earlier in the match Hermann says, can it be said he was biased? The fans may have jeered that he allowed things to go on that they normally might not see in an RCW match...but that is Stampede style. Goldstein says it looks more like he was chicken then letting things go.
The fans cheer as head referee Buddy Lane comes out to the ring. Goldstein tries to get in Lane's way but the former RCW wrestler turned referee won't back down. He gets the mic and tells Hermann he is a disgrace to RCW and to pro wrestling (loud cheer from the crowd). RCW is about the wrestlers, not the officials, the managers, the commissioner or whatever. And now all anyone can talk about is not that Disalvo is champ, not that Backlund got screwed over, (he apologizes for his language), but instead about the phantom three count. All week everyone keeps asking me about it, and about you Hermann, where normally at the local Robin's or Tim's they ask me about this wrestler or that wrestler. I want you out of RCW, now (another loud cheer).
Goldstein looks discouraged and tells Lane to back off, for now. Hermann has a valid contract that RCW will honor...but don't forget it has a clause for termination for bias. Lane looks disgusted and says "but its okay if he is just completely incompetent for everyone." Again Goldstein tells Lane to back off.
Promo: On Tonight's Evening News
-USSR reported arresting "US News and World Report" magazine correspondent Nicholas Daniloff for espionage; apparent circumstances of his arrest, believed in retaliation for recent arrest in New York City of Soviet UN staff member Gennady Zakharov
-Former astronaut James Irwin reported temporarily arrested in Turkey for espionage following his aerial filming of Mt. Ararat, in search of Noah's Ark
-Ivan Lendl -Jonas Svensson, Martina Navratilova and Kathy Horvath matches at United States Tennis Open
-Eagles coach Buddy Ryan profiled
[end of first hour]
Bout #5
Dan Kroffat & Brady Boone defeated Kid Gallahad & Chris Lyon by pinfall when Kroffat pinned Gallahad after a superkick at 8:56
-very solid match with Boone and Kroffat playing the spunky underdogs most of the match, both taking turns in trouble to the double teaming villians. However, they turned things around towards the end, but then the villians used another double team to eject Boone from the ring. While referee Kenny Jay applied the 5 count, Chris Lyon held onto Kroffat for Gallahad who came off the top rope with the Gallahad lance. But Kroffat got out of the way at the last second and Gallahad took out Lyon. When Gallahad got up he was fed some shoe leather and then covered.
Interview:
Dan Kroffat and Brady Boone basically throw their hat in as #1 contenders for the tag titles.
Interview:
The new RCW Heavyweight champion Strangler Steve Disalvo comes to the ring to a round of jeers, with the belt wrapped around his waist. He also has something new on his arm...Lisa Caress.
The new champ says that to the victor goes the spoils. He has gold, something the Kiniski brothers never could, and now he has a new manager.
Disalvo tells all the losers in the audience that he came through on his promise to win the title, and to cripple their champion. From what he has heard Bob Backlund is still in traction for his back. In fact Disalvo says, and he takes off the belt and lays it at his feet, why don't you come get it? Disalvo says he will give Backlund his rematch now...or never. The fans jeer him even louder.
Marty Goldstein comes to the ring. He apologizes to the fans for Disalvo's behaviour but also for his own hogging of air time and for appearing more then he should have to. However, he tells Disalvo that he (Disalvo) does not decide who wrestles for the title, and when. That is his job (Goldstein's). Bob Backlund will get his return bout and he will be well rested. Next week we are pre-empted, so when we return on September 13th Backlund's bad back will not be an issue.
Disalvo laughs, and says he made it an issue once, and he can do it again. And again there will be no corrupt RCW referee to get in the way.
No, Goldstein corrects him, because RCW officials are not corrupt. But this time the best of the best, Buddy Lane will be the referee for the match...and if Disalvo doesn't like it he can leave the title belt, but take the peroxide blonde, and go back to Boston.
Disalvo just fumes and then promises to take it out on Backlund.
Bout #6
RCW Television Title Match
Ben Bassarab defeated Great Gama by pinfall after a flying cross bodyblock at 10:03
[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW Television Title]
-Steve Blackman came down to the ring with Gama, but unlike Gama he doesn't have a managerial license so was sent to the back after a humorous attempt at trying to show a managers license to Buddy Lane "very quickly". Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a "Chuck Norris Fan Club Membership card".
-Bassarab controlled early with a fast pace and some aerial moves including three sets of flying headscissors that left Gama so wobbly that he fell out of the ring. However, Gama took over the middle of the match and tried to submit Bassarab with a cobra clutch and then a calcutta clutch (camel clutch), but the TV champ was not willing to give up his title. Gama made a mistake of showboating and jawing with the crowd when they clapped to try and rally Bassarab. This allowed the champ time to recover, and he fought back with fists from his knees, and then grabbing the tights of Gama brought him in for a couple headbutts to the midsection. Bassarab followed up with an airplane spin. He tried to climb to the top rope but was too dizzy, and had to climb down. Gama got up and charged the corner but was even dizzier and missed by a good two feet and bounced off the ropes. Bassarab nailed him with a clothesline, then a pair of dropkicks, and then his flying cross bodyblock finisher.
Promo;
"In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire: THE A-TEAM."...
The A-Team returns to TV this fall as Season 5 begins Friday September 26th with part 1 of a 3 part special "Dishpan Man". The A-Team is blackmailed by retired General Stockwell, who kidnaps Hannibal and threatens to have him prosecuted if the A-Team fails to secure the release of hostages held on a plane in Spain. Josh Curtis and Colonel Morrison join them, but one will betray them.
Video;
About two minutes of Van Halen's recent hit "Why Can't This Be Love" is set against highlites of Lisa Caress, Misty Blue Simmes, and LeLani Kai.
Main Event:
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Longriders (champions) v Midnight Rockers
Jannetty started things off against Wild Bill and frustrated him with a series of go-behinds, takedowns, and just general nuisance holds that didn't do a lot of damage. Michaels came in and continued until Wild Bill got over to his corner to tag in Scott Hogg. Michaels tried the same thing against Hogg but the bigger brother just nailed him with a forearm and followed with a spinebuster slam. Hogg then dropped a couple of kneedrops to the chest of Michaels, whipped him to the ropes but telegraphed a backbody drop. Michaels rolled over the back of Hogg, tagged in Jannetty with the blind tag. Hogg caught Michaels in a suspended choke, but Jannetty came off the ropes with a splash into the back of Michaels, driving all 3 men down to the mat with Hogg on the bottom.
This brought in Wild Bill and we had a 4 man brawl. Bill tossed Michaels out of the ring and then sent Jannetty to the buckle, and the 'riders took him high with a big double backbody drop. Hogg tagged in Bill who went to work on Jannetty with an armbar. He followed up with a pair of clotheslines, a bodyslam, and a knee drop. The champs used some quick tags and cut off the ring to keep Jannetty in trouble for a couple of minutes.
The crowd was pretty much split 50/50 in their support between the tag teams, with most of the females cheering for the Rockers.
Michaels banged his foot on the ring apron to rally his partner who tried to go between the legs of Hogg, but was caught by the waistband. He kept struggling thouogh and Hogg bent over with his back to Michaels was an easy target for the blonde Rocker to enter the ring and nail with a dropkick. Both teams tagged in fresh men.
Michaels went to work with a series of flying armdrags on Bill, until the champ blocked one and nailed the youngster with a clothesline. Wild Bill came off the far ropes with a fistdrop and then tagged in his brother. Michaels though took Hogg down with a droptoe hold, and then worked a side headlock. Hogg back on his feet lifted Michaels high in the air, but the Rocker gave him a noogie until he dropped him, and Michaels retained the headlock down to the mat. Hogg back up tried for a break by getting to the ropes, but Michaels vaulted off the middle buckle and took Hogg down again with a headlock. But because of the contact with the ropes referee Kenny Jay called for the break. Michaels whipped Hogg to the ropes for a chrisscross but also made the blind tag to Jannetty who hit Hogg with a flying dropkick, then Michaels hit him with a flying dropkick, still on his feet but wobbly Hogg was finally knocked down by Jannetty with a roll-up. He got a 2 count,. Hogg kicked out, then Wild Bill was in and clotheslined Jannetty. Another 4 man brawl broke out. The Rockers were whipped from opposite corners to the middle for a collision but Michaels slipped under the legs of Jannetty, then the Rockers nailed the champs with dropkicks against the buckles. They then tried to take them over with monkeyflips but the champs held onto the buckles and sent the Midnight Rockers flying. They then exploded out of the corner with clotheslines. Wild Bill tossed Michaels out of the ring, while Scott Hogg sent Jannetty to the ropes and nailed him with a spinebuster slam for the pin.
The Longriders defeated the Midnight Rockers by pinfall when Scott Hogg Irwin pinned Marty Jannetty after a spinebuster slam at 13:06
[The Longriders retain the RCW Tag Team Titles]
Post-Match
A dejected Midnight Rockers team none the less does a circuit around the ring high-fives for many fans as they leave. The Longriders salute their own fans from inside the ring with the tag belts held high.
Kid Gallahad and Chris Lyon though storm the ring from the back. They have brass knuckles and lay out both champions from behind. They turn them over and nail them with the knux in the head and both 'riders are wearing the proverbial crimson mask.
The crowd errupts though as the Midnight Rockers return to the ring from the backstage, grabbing steel chairs on their way in. Gallahad and Lyon though see them coming and exit the ring to avoid any damage.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya in two weeks!!
River City Wrestling #247
Billings, Montana
Review of Wrestling Summit 3, set to "the Best of Times" by Styx including Backlund's win over Sammartino, Disalvo's decisive win over Destroyer, Hollywood taking the women's title from Misty Blue Simmes, and the Longriders coming out ahead against the Road Warriors, and all the other great action and stories from the event.
Promo:
The Destroyer sends in an interview from his house, as he stands out on his tennis court with shorts, sneakers, t-shirt, and of course black and white mask. He says that he would never make excuses for his loss against Disalvo but perhaps his ego got the best of him, that he was egged on to return to action too soon. The masked man says he is going to take the rest of the month off to fully recover from his injuries, as per his doctors orders, and he will be back in September. He looks forward to competing again against Disalvo, and in the annual September Battle Royale to win a title shot against Bob Backlund. He thanks the fans for all their support and well wishes.
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, with announcers David McClane & Wally George
LeLani Kai defeated California Doll by pinfall after a piledriver at 6:21
-fairly easy win for Kai as she tries to stay in the run for a title shot now held by Hollywood
Interview:
Wally George interviews Hollywood, congratulating her on her title win at Wrestling Summit 3 over Misty Blue Simmes. As Hollywood goes on, she is interrupted by George who seems disturbed by the fact that she hasn't given him props yet for helping her win the title. Hollywood turns poisonous, telling him she never asked for his help and would have won the belt clean if it wasn't for him. He puts his arm around her waist as he tries to talk sweet to her. She pulls at his arm, and then twists him to the ground. She tells him if he ever touches her again she'll mess him up good.
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, with announcers David McClane & Wally George
North American Women's Title Match
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Hollywood by disqualification for outside interference at 8:03
-Simmes was on the verge of winning her title back. She was perched on the top rope when Wally George left the announce table, climbed onto the apron and knocked Simmes off the top, getting Hollywood disqualified.
Promo:
Paramount Pictures is proud to release to theatres this weekend, Friday the 13th Part VI : Jason Lives
Tommy goes to a graveyard to get rid of Jason' body, but accidently brings him back to life. Jason wants revenge, and Tommy wants to get rid of Jason once and for all.
Kill or be Killed.
Bout #3
Premiere of the Midnight Rockers
The Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) defeated Mario Mancini & Gene Swan by pinfall when Jannetty pinned Swan after a Northern Lights suplex at 5:50
-squash match for this impressive team just arrived from the AWA.
Interview:
The high energy duo of the Midnight Rockers bring a dynamic to RCW that we haven't seen since the departure of the Fabulous Ones. They say they don't care who holds the titles, whether its the Longriders, the Road Warriors, the Kiniski Brothers, or R&R, they are going after gold and nothing is going to stop them. They invite all the girls out there in the RCW arenas to come out and party with them after the shows.
Promo:
Universal Pictures wants you to quack up this weekend, as it releases a new breed of hero, Howard the Duck to theatres across the nation.
Lea Thompson and Jeffrey Jones co-star with America's favorite billable superhero. A sarcastic humanoid duck is pulled from his homeworld to Earth where he must stop an alien invader. Trapped in a world he never made.
More adventure than humanly possible.
Bout #4
Manny Silva defeated Ace Brandon by pinfall after a wheelbarrow suplex at 1:14
-total squash match
Post-Match:
Mad Dog Manny Silva was scheduled to be interviewed and to gloat abour his victory over Mad Dog Vachon, but for some reason he refused to be interviewed. So Ron Strong called out Phillip Navarre instead to be interviewed. He was disapointed in his loss to Lex Lugar at WS3 but is ready to get back to business this week in RCW. He gives a bit of a preview of his match coming next against Nick Kiniski.
Promo: Tonight on the Evening News
-Former Lebanon hostage Father Lawrence Jenco's homecoming
-Death of attorney Roy Cohn from complications linked to AIDS reported. Cohn's career, include association with Senator Joe McCarthy, reviewed. His participation in prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg recalled.
-Would-be 1988 presidential candidate television evangelist Pat Robertson reported announcing formation of exploratory committee
-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duke and Duchess of York, reported returning from honeymoon
[end of first hour]
Interview:
RCW Champion Bob Backlund accepts the congratulatory cheers of the crowd as he comes to the ring in dress clothes, walking rather gingerly. He says it was a huge win over Sammartino, a moment and a night he will never forget. It doesn't matter to him that the finish was a bit flukey, as a win is a win. Backlund says that he woke up Sunday morning after the event feeling like he had wrestled a grizzly bear, and that is exactly what wrestling Bruno is like. The RCW champ says he is still resting this week but that come next week he will be back, and the first item on the agenda seems to be to shut up the big mouth Steve Disalvo.
Interview:
Steve Blackman and Great Gama are interviewed backstage. Gama says that he was sick and tired of watching Ben Bassarab retain his TV title by cheating, and paying off the refs. Since Bassarab was ducking him he found another way to make sure that justice is done. He has been granted an RCW manager's license, and is going to be managing Steve Blackman in his rematch tonight against Ben Bassarab. He tells Bassarab that it won't be so easy to hold onto his title now that the playing field is level.
Bout #5
Phillip Navarre defeated Nick Kiniski (/w Lisa Caress) by pinfall after the coup de grace at 8:58
-tough bout for Navarre to work through. Constant distractions and interference by Lisa, including playing up to Navarre's chivalrous demeanor. Couple this with Kiniski's rulebreaking and Navarre overcame a great deal of adversity.
Post-Match:
Phillip Navarre was being interviewed on the tough nature of his latest victory when Manny Silva came out to the ring to interrupt.
He demanded to know why Navarre got to face a "real" opponent while he faced some greenhorn who didn't even know how to lace up his boots properly. Navarre and Strong tried their best to steer Silva over to commissioner Goldstein's office but Silva would have none of it. When he placed his hands on Ron Strong then Navarre stepped in the way. He called Silva a bully, and if he wants a real opponent next week he has one; himself. Silva accepts the challenge with a look of glee on his face.
Bout #6
#1 Contenders Match
Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad defeated Dan Kroffat & Brady Boone by pinfall when Gallahad pinned Boone after a reverse suplex at 10:25
-Lyon and Gallahad controlled early, working over Boone's throat. The match pace picked up and this allowed Boone to make a comeback, tag in Kroffat who went to work with his martial arts attack. Lyon came in to double team, and a four man brawl ensued. Outside the ring Gallahad threw Kroffat head first into the steel barrier. Back inside it was 2 on 1 until referee Kenny Jay could restore order. It appeared to be too late though as Gallahad tried to finish off Boone with his Gallahad Lance (missile dropkick). But Boone managed to move out of the way. He made a comeback, and instead of tagging out to the still groggy looking Blackman he made the mistake of climbing to the top buckle. He went for a moonsault from the top, but Gallahad moved out of the way and then nailed the reverse suplex to pick up the win.
Interview:
Chris Lyon and Kid Gallahad remain in the ring. Every week Lyon seems to be less manic then the one before. In fact he is somewhat lethargic after the match. Lyon reminds us that he has held the tag titles before with Mike Valiant and with Bobby Duncum. He says Gallahad will help him regain those titles. Gallahad says that no one believes they can beat the Longriders after the way they have rolled over the Road Warriors, the Kiniskis, and the Fabulous Ones. But Gallahad says that those teams all have one strength in common; they have tag partners that are either their blood or they treat like brothers. Gallahad says he and Lyon are going to use that to their advantage, something the other teams could not, because quite frankly Gallahad says, we don't give a crap about each other, or anyone else except for ourself. Lyon nods his agreement.
Promo: Returning to NBC this fall, for its third season, the hit cop show "Hunter"
Former NFL football player, Fred Dryer, stars as Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer stars as his partner, Detective Sergeant Dee Dee McCall. Hunter and McCall investigate homicides for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Hunter returns to the job saturday night September 27th, when a television reporter accuses Hunter of firing his weapon unnecessarily.
Main Event
RCW Television Title Match
Ben Bassarab defeated Steve Blackman by disqualification for outside interference at 7:11
[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW Television title]
-Bassarab pretty much seems to have solved Blackman the last couple of weeks, and controlled most of this match. The couple flurries of offense snuck in by Blackman came as a result of his new manager Great Gama distracting the young champion. When these tactics failed to get the desired result and Bassarab had nailed Blackman with his flying crossbody block finisher, Gama entered the ring and pulled Bassarab off Blackman by the hair.
Post-Match:
It was two on one with Gama and Blackman doing a number on Bassarab. Just as Blackman left to get his nunchucks to do more damage the save was made by Dan Kroffat and Brady Boone.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!!
August 9, 1986
River City Wrestling #248
Fargo, North Dakota
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
Americana defeated Little Egypt by pinfall at 7:03
-The announcers spent most of the match arguing about Wally George's actions in dethroning Simmes and helping Hollywood win the title.
Interview:
Misty Blue Simmes is interviewed and is undestandably mad at Hollywood and George. In fact she tries to confront Wally George at the announce table but the coward back peddles through the crowd to safety. Finally Hollywood comes out with her occasional tag team partner Vine. Hollywood says that she will grant Simmes a rematch for the title next week if she can win a match tonight. Simmes agrees but then Hollywood says it will be a handi-cap match; Simmes taking on both members of Heavy Metal, with Wally George as special guest referee.
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
Handi-cap match - Special guest referee Wally George
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Heavy Metal by pinfall when Simmes pinned Chainsaw at 8:47
-Predicatable match with Simmes starting strong but the numbers becoming too great after a few minutes. Heavy Metal worked over Simmes for a while before the former champion made the big comeback. Just when she was ready to apply the pin, George went down like he was shot, a phantom ref bump. Out came another ref, a female, but it was actually Vine who attacked Simmes from behind, in effect making it a 3 on 1. This brought out Amerciana who dragged Vine out of the ring and drove her to the back. Back inside Heavy Metal had Simmes set up for a double team, with the camera catching a downed Wally George peeking to see what was going on. But Simmes moved out of the way and Spike nailed Chainsaw instead. Simmes ejected Spike from the ring. She then went over to where George feigned hurt, turned him over, and kissed him gently on the mouth. George's eyes slammed open and with a confused but lusty look on his face he went over and made the 1, 2, 3, count for Simmes.
Bout #3
Irish Pat Barrett defeated Kelly Kiniski by pinfall after an Irish whip and rollup at 5:14
-upset victory for Barrett despite Kiniski having controlled most of the match
Interview:
Bob Backlund is interviewed. Basically he makes it clear he is not ducking anyone, including Steve Disalvo. Now that he is past Wrestling Summit and Disalvo is clearly the #1 contender a title match needs to be set. Backlund says sooner is better then later so he has requested that match occur as tonight's main event.
Bout #4
Midnight Rockers defeated Johnny K-9 and Nick DeCarlo by pinfall when Shawn Michaels pinned DeCarlo after a superkick at 6:36
-glorified squash match
Interview:
Midnight Rockers are interviewed and specifically speak about wrestling against the Kiniski Brothers in the weeks to come.
Promo: On Tonight's Evening News
-Apparent outcome of President Reagan's urological exam today. Reagan reported undergoing drug test as well today to promote his anti-drug campaign
-Islamic Jihad terrorists reported rejecting Anglican envoy Terry Waite's overtures to negotiate release of remaining United States hostages in Lebanon
-Demonstration in Berlin protesting upcoming anniversary of construction of Berlin Wall
-Army audit reported finding Army hires mentally unstable, felons and others posing threat to security to guard nuclear warhead facilities
[end of first hour]
Interview:
Strangler Steve Disalvo is interviewed basically going over how he intends to not only caputre Backlund's title tonight but to cripple him and end his wrestling career.
Bout #5
Steve Blackman & Great Gama defeated Ben Bassarab & Dan Kroffat by pinfall when Gama pinned Bassarab after Blackman hit him with nonchucks at 9:00
-basically a decent tag match with some good heat, but the main purpose is to set up another Bassarab versus Gama match for the TV title.
Interview:
Blackman and Gama give themselves a pat on the back and give a congratulatory self promotion interview. However, Ben Bassarab interrupts when he bursts on the scene, his head bandaged from the nonchucks attack, and goes right after them. However, its two on one and the villians beat him down until Kroffat arrives to make the save.
Bout #6
Phillip Navarre and Manny Silva battled to a no-contest at 6:23
-a wild brawl, which is not how Navarre wanted it but was exactly how Silva wanted it. Both wrestlers ignored referee instructions and Silva bled like a stuck pig. Finally as the two battled behind the announce table, and Silva grabbed a purse from the audience and hit Navarre in the head with it, referee Kenny Jay had seen enough and threw out the match.
Post-Match:
The combatants continued to ignore referee instructions and Navarre was now busted open. Several RCW officials arrived on the scene to break it up but they were pushed aside by Silva and Navarre who continued to brawl, now into the stands. They found themselves brawling in a hockey penalty box where Navarre hit Silva with a rubber pylon, and Navarre then hit back with a hockey stick. Finally they were broken up by sheer volume of officials on the scene.
Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Bob Backlund (champion) v Steve Disalvo
Backlund tried to start with a collar-elbow hook-up but Disalvo pounded him down with a double ax-handle. He continued to pound the champ with axhandle chops, a backbreaker, and some knees to the back. He then threw Backlund out of the ring and went right after him, slamming him back first against the ring apron, and then against the steel guard rail. Disalvo then clotheslined the champ over the guardrail.
The challenger was forced to flee back to the ring to break up the 10 count, and when he returned outside Backlund was ready for him catching him with a forearm smash. But when the champ followed up with a dropkick, Disalvo was able to shake off the effects, and catch Backlund with a vicious clothesline as he got back up. Disalvo then press slammed Backlund back into the ring.
Inside he continued to work over the back with a double armbar and headbutting the lower back, a standing surfboard, and a couple more backbreakers. Backlund though kicked out of all pin attempts. The Boston native then put the champ into a double armbar but with his head pushed against the lowerback of the champ. He held this hold for about a minute but Backlund refused to submit.
Disalvo tried to finish the match with a piledriver but Backlund countered with a back body drop, which further hurt his back. Disalvo went back after the champ with a clothesline attempt but Backlund ducked under and caught Disalvo on the bounce back with another dropkick. Backlund hit his atomic drop finisher but referee Buddy Lane was caught off guard crossing over position, and Disalvo collided with him, knocking him out. Disalvo also took a powder outside the ring. As Backlund looked over and tried to help Buddy Lane, Disalvo snuck back into the ring with the ringbell. He lined up Backlund for a shot but the champ noticed at the last second and took the challenger down with a drop toe hold. Disalvo's head bounced off the ringbell as they hit the mat, and knocked him out cold. Backlund picked up the ringbell just as Buddy Lane looked over, to see Backlund standing over a knocked out Disalvo and holding the ringbell. A groggy Lane called for the bell.
Steve Disalvo defeated Bob Backlund by disqualification for using a foreign object at 10:10
[Bob Backlund retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!!
August 16, 1986
River City Wrestling #249
Duluth, Minnesota
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
10-Woman over the top battle royal, winner to get title shot next week
10. Matilda
9. Tina Ferrari
8. California Doll
7. Chainsaw
6. Americana
5. Spike
4. Vine
3. Little Egypt
2. LeLani Kai
Winner:. Tammy Jones (9:03)
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
North American Women's Title Match
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Hollywood by pinfall after some botched interference at 6:59
[Misty Blue Simmes wins the North American Women's Title]
-Hollywood used her cheating ways to stay ahead through most of this match. However, once she got the rally going Wally George tried to help out Hollywood with a trip, once again leaving his position at the announce table, only to trip up Hollywood by accident instead.
Bout #3
Brady Boone defeated Johnny K-9 by pinfall after a moonsault at 5:30
-squash match
Interview:
RCW champion Bob Backlund is discoraged over his disqualification loss last week to Steve Disalvo. He says he would have thought that any referee in RCW would know he wouldn't have used a foreign object and he shouldn't have lost that bout. Ron Strong agrees with Backlund. Referee Buddy Lane comes out in person to apologize to Backlund. He says he was groggy and that's why he called for the bell. He tells Backlund that he believes Backlund is a class act and should not have been disqualified. Furthermore, Lane says he was wrong regardless of who the wrestler was involved because he called something he didn't actually see. Backlund accepts his apology and the two men shake hands.
Bout #4
Irish Pat Barrett defeated Nick DeCarlo by pinfall after an Irish whip into a roll-up at 6:07
-another squash match although DeCarlo got in some ground attack offense. Both men were veterans and wrestled an old style mat contest that was not really appreciated or awarded by the fans.
Interview:
Strangler Steve Disalvo comes out and he's steaming mad. First off he says Bob Backlund, the paper champion of RCW, hit him in the head with the ring bell for no reason. Ron Strong scoffs at Disalvo reminding him that it was he who brought the ring bell into the ring. Disalvo very quietly asks Strong, "did I hit Backlund with the bell?". Strong replies no but that was your intention wasn't it, just that Bob reacted fast enough to take you down with a drop toehold and your head hit the ring bell. Disalvo says "see you just admitted that Backlund used a move that hit me in the head with the ringbell, I did not hit him. Therefore the DQ was the right call." Strong scoffs again asking Disalvo why he brought the ring bell in then, to which the big man replies, "I was going to ring the bell next to Buddy Lane to try and wake him up...I felt so bad when he got knocked down." Strong just stands there with his jaw slack, not sure how to reply. Disalvo fills the silence with more rhetoric. He says now Lane is shaking hands with the champ and basically saying "I owe you one." Disalvo says this is unacceptable and that as the challenger who has been wronged he should be able to assign his own referee to the rematch next week - and it shouldn't be any of the tainted RCW officials.
[end of first hour]
Promo;
New on ABC TV this fall, Lucille Ball returns to television after a 12 year hiatus with her new comedy "Life With Lucy", airing Saturdays at 8:00pm.
Lucy Barker (Lucille Ball( is an energetic, health conscious grandmother who comes to live with her daughter, son-in-law and their two kids in South Pasadena.
Returning to ABC on Wednesday nights at 9:00pm is the hit prime time soap "Dynasty" starring Joan Collins and John Forsyth. This season opnes with Blake in financial ruin as Alexis prepares to take over. This drives him to the edge and he tries to strangle his ex-wife Alexis while his evil brother cheers him on.
Bout #5
Midnight Rockers (Michaels & Jannetty) defeated The Kiniski Brothers (/w Lisa Caress) by pinfall when Jannetty pinned Nick after a Northern lights suplex at 7:23
-solid back and forth match but the Rockers are one of the best young teams in the game and are on a collision course to an RCW Tag Title match.
Interview:
The Midnight Rockers try and call out Lisa Caress back to the ring to join them, and to drop that stiff Nick Kiniski. When this fails they exit out to the crowd. After a commercial break we are back in the ring and both Rockers have a girl from the crowd hanging onto their arm and waists. The Rockers say they are on their way to the top of the wrestling business, and they are going to do it together, they are an instant party no matter where they go. Now all they have left to do is wait and watch to see who it will be. The Longriders or Gallahad & Lyon, it makes no difference to the cocky Rockers.
Bout #6
RCW Television Title
Ben Bassarab defeated Steve Blackman (/w Great Gama) by pinfall after a German suplex at 8:30
[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW TV Title]
-nothing new from Bassarab and Blackman, although the ref did kind of even the odds before the match by having the nonchucks removed from ringside. Bassarab still had to overcome constant interference from Great Gama however.
Post-Match:
Gama hit the ring and helped Blackman double team the champ. Bassarab was finally saved by Dan Kroffat and Brady Boone.
Interview:
Brady Boone and Dan Kroffat are livid. They challenge Blackman and Gama to a tag match next week.
Main Event
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Longriders (Wild Bill & Scott Hogg Irwin) defeated Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad by pinfall when Wild Bill pinned Gallahad after a doomsday device at 8:35
[The Longriders retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
-Longriders used their size and power advantage to control the first couple minutes of this match. Lyon and Gallahad then made a comeback predicated on double teams and cheating. Wild Bill played Ricky Morton for a couple minutes before tagging in his bigger brother. Scott Hogg turned things around with a series of running shoulderblocks on both opponents. He then tagged in his brother, hoisted up Gallahad, and Wild Bill came off the top with the doomsday device while Hogg held Gallahad.
Post-Match:
Strangler Steve Disalvo came to the announce table, grabbed a mic and stood on the table. He told Lyon and Gallahad that they just got screwed over by RCW, and by referee Buddy Lane. That was a clear double team and should not have been allowed to stand as a victory. Disalvo demands that Lane overturn the decision. When he refuses to Disalvo gets into the ring. The tag teams are still mulling around inside the ring so when the Longriders step up to protect Lane, Gallahad and Lyon step up to stand beside Disalvo.
Finally Marty Goldstein comes to the ring. With some reluctance he says that Disalvo has a point. While he totally believes that Buddy Lane has not done anything wrong, the appearnace of propriety is also important. Goldstein tells Disalvo there is no way he is going to cede control over the ref spot for the title match, but will give Disalvo some options. Goldstein says he has some former Stampede refs that can be called in, and since Disalvo just worked Stampede he should be familiar with them. After a few seconds thought Disalvo says he will accept Jurgen Hermann as the referee. Godlstein groans but accepts. Buddy Lane breaks his silence saying that Hermann is inept, and most likely blind and deaf. Goldstein says that Hermann is a registered referee so he will have to do. Disalvo just smiles and rubs his hands together.
Marty Goldstein signs off the show by reminding fans that next week will be a jam packed show with three main event quality matches. The Longriders will once again defend the tag titles against Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad; Phillip Navarre & Manny Silva will tangle in a Streetfight; and of course Bob Backlund will put the RCW title on the line against Steve Disalvo with referee Jurgen Hermann as the official.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!!
August 23, 1986
River City Wrestling #250
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Opening Bout:
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
Vine defeated Tina Ferrari by pinfall at 5:02
Bout #2
Taped in Hollywood California, announcers David McClane & Wally George
North American Women's Title Match
Misty Blue Simmes defeated Tammy Jones by pinfall after the superfly at 10:30
[Simmes retained the North American Women's Title]
-an excellent match to end the GLOW-RCW joint venture. Scientific match between two fan favorites.
Promo:
Marty Goldstein and Misty Blue Simmes cut a promo thanking GLOW, David McLane, and all the great wrestlers for their participation this summer and wish them all the best in the fall.
Promo:
G.L.O.W., the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling come to your TV this fall, check your local listings for station and time.
Promo:
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark hosts Midnight Madness every weekend, now with great GLOW-RCW action. Check your local listings.
Bout #3
The Midnight Rockers defeated the Outpatient & Dennis Turner by pinfall when Michaels pinned Turner after a superkick at 4:47
-squash match
Interview:
The Midnight Rockers once again pull out a pair of female fans from the audience to join them in the ring for their interview. They are waiting patiently for the result of tonight's tag team title match, as they are next in line.
Bout #4
Steve Blackman & Great Gama defeated Dan Kroffat & Brady Boone by pinfall when Gama pinned Boone after a gutwrench suplex with his feet on the ropes at 11:11
-Kroffat and Boone controlled most of this match and would have won it but Blackman used his nunchucks to turn the match around, and his partner still had to cheat further to win getting the pin by using his feet on the ropes.
Interview:
As Blackman and Gama are interviewed and gloat about their victory they are confronted by Ben Bassarab about their cheating. Gama says if Bassarab doesn't like it he can meet Blackman again for the TV title. But Bassarab has other ideas challenging Gama instead. The East Indian at first seems taken back but quickly warms to the idea.
[end of first hour]
Interview:
Ron Strong gets an interview with special guest referee Jurgen Hermann for the big main event tonight between Backlund and Disalvo. Strong tactfully asks Hermann if his referee skills have improved at all since his last days in Stampede wrestling. Hermann says that his skills as an official continue to grow every day, and are now even greater then when fans may have seen him last. When Strong though starts talking about him being a special guest referee, Hermann seems confused and then confrontational. He says he was under the impression that he was going to be a regular RCW referee now. The fans boo this comment, and it brings out Marty Goldstein to try and clear up the confusion. He too tries to be tactful saying they are happy to have a seasoned official for the match tonight...but it is a once only gig. Hermann refuses, saying that if thats the case then he's leaving. It's either a contract or nothing. Goldstein seems ready to let him walk until Steve Disalvo comes out and reminds Goldstein that they have a contract for tonight and he doesn't want a biased RCW official. He gives Goldstein the option of Hermann or Mad Dog Manny Silva, or Chris Lyon. Goldstein is boxed into a corner. Finally he says they just happen to need an official as Wyatt Hall has given his notice. However, he tells Hermann flat out that his work is "suspect" and he would be just about his last pick for the job. He tells Hermann he has a contract to be a regular RCW referee, but that if he doesn't do an unbiased job then he will not hesitate to fire him. Hermann agrees with the terms.
Bout #5
Streetfight
Manny Silva defeated Phillip Navarre by pinfall in a street fight at 9:08
-the first 5 minutes of this fight took place on the floor outside the ring, mostly on the side of the entrance ramps, and also up the entrance ramps. Navarre busted Silva open in the 2nd minute over the left eye with his bare fists. Both men had their fists taped. In desperation Silva ended up using his tape by removing it and choking Navarre with it. He forced him to his knees from behind by choking him with the tape, and pushing with his foot against the calf of his opponent. He then laid in a blatant chokesleeper until Navarre was able to slam Silva back into the outside of the ringpost.
Navarre rolled into the ring where the action went for the first time on the night. It was Navarre's turn to do some choking as he used the tag rope to choke Silva. Even as he did this however, the Hawaiian was up to no good, starting to untie the middle turnbuckle. Later after Silva was able to elbow his way out of the choke, and then nail a piledriver, Silva was able to finish tearing off the turnbuckle cover. He then smashed Navarre's head off the exposed steel busting him wide open. He straddled him and laid in fists to the head in a sickening display of anger. This was followed by not one, but two Wheelbarrow suplexes, and finally one more head first smash into the exposed buckle. He then covered for the pin.
Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Longriders defeated Chris Lyon & Kid Gallahad by pinfall when Wild Bill pinned Gallahad after a superplex at 8:24
[The Longriders retain the RCW Tag Team Titles]
-although the champions controlled the first couple minutes of this match, Lyon and Gallahad once again found success with double teams. Scott Hogg played Ricky Morton for a couple minutes as Lyon & Gallahad passed a pair of brass knux back and forth, never getting a chance to land a punch though as referee Buddy Lane was Johnny on the spot. Finally with Wild Bill entering the ring unable to watch anymore they got their chance, but Scott Hogg ducked and Chris Lyon on the apron decked his own man Gallahad inside the ring. Scott Hogg managed to crawl over and make the tag. Lyon tried to intervene but Wild Bill sent him flying over the top rope, and then took Gallahad to the top for the win.
Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Special Guest Referee: Jurgen Hermann
Bob Backlund (champion) v Steve Disalvo
Disalvo tried to attack the champion before the opening bell but Backlund was ready and smashed Disalvo's head off the buckle. He then clipped his leg, and took him down to the mat. He tried working over the legs but Disalvo's legs were the size of small redwood trees so he changed tactics and went after the head and neck area. He worked a headlock, a neckvise, and a reverse chinlock. Eventually though Disalvo regained his feet and appeared more angry then hurt. He slapped Backlund with a big forearm. Backlund though reared back and slapped him hard again with a forearm to the chest. Taking it as a challenge Disalvo reared back again, but this time Backlund wasn't just going to stand there and take it. He moved slightly and grabbed the arm of the challenger into an armbar and took him to the mat. Again he worked over the challenger, this time though concentrating on his arm. Eventually this too was overcome by Disalvo who impressed with his strength while nursing that worked arm, by giving Backlund a one-armed bodyslam.
Disalvo went to work with boots, kneedrops, and a pair of elbowdrops for a 2 count. He then nailed a piledriver but again could only get a 2 count. Disalvo took the match outside where he bodyslammed the champ and threw him into the barrier. While this happened Jurgen Hermann looked very intimidated by Disalvo and refused to apply a count. Back inside Disalvo whipped the champ to the ropes for a scoop slam but the champ slid off the side and nailed a side Russian legsweep. He covered Disalvo but only got a 1 count before the challenger kicked out with authority knocking Backund clear out of the ring to the floor below.
Disalvo followed but this time the champ was ready and the two exchanged forearms and punches. Finally Backlund got a roar from the crowd as he scooped up Disalvo and slammed him onto the outside ring mats. Back inside Backlund went to work with a pair of high knee lifts, followed by a belly-to-belly suplex. He tried for the atomic drop finisher but Disalvo fed him a quick elbow to the kisser followed by a huge clothesline. Scooping up the champ he went to work on the back with a pair of backbreakers, and then a bearhug but the champ refused to submit.
Backlund mounted another comeback but this one ended after a minute when Disalvo nailed him with a spinebuster slam. He then left the ring and pulled the champ half way out, so his torso was suspended in mid-air over the ring apron. He laid in a pair of running elbowsmashes to the chest of Backlund, and then turned him over and went to work on the back. Finally getting back onto the ring apron he gave it a running start and then nailed a knee into the lower back of the champ. It appeared to be a devastating blow. The fans jeered both Disalvo, and referee Jurgen Hermann for allowing the match to remain outside the ring without an aggressive count.
Disalvo locked in a bearhug in the middle of the ring. Backlund fought it as long as he could but was looking weak. Jurgen Hermann lifted Backlund's arm in the air, and it fell once, then again, twice, then again, but no, he kept his arm up to avoid the three count. Frustrated Disalvo came off the far ropes for a running clothesline but Backlund ducked under. Disalvo though slammed on the brakes, turned around and clotheslined the champ to the mat. He then took another running start and this time nailed Backlund with the finisher, and got the 1, 2, Backlund's shoulder blade comes off the mat, 3 !! Hermann had his head down and did not notice the shoulderblade come up.
New champion.
Steve Disalvo defeated Bob Backlund by pinfall after a running clothesline at 14:45
[Steve Disalvo won the RCW Heavyweight Title]
Post-Match:
The fans jeer as referee Jurgen Hermann presents Strangler Steve Disalvo with the Heavyweight title belt.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya next week!!
August 30, 1986
River City Wrestling #251
Brandon, Manitoba
Opening Bout:
Manny Silva defeated Bill Cody by pinfall with the wheelbarrow suplex at 3:20
-squash match
Interview:
Ron Strong tries to get an interview with Manny Silva but he refuses, walking away. Then he comes back, and says he refuses to talk because he has nothing to say, he has done all his talking in the ring. He walks away, then comes back again. He says it seems though that some people including the management of RCW must be deaf and stupid, because they haven't noticed. He beat Navarre and now he should be the #1 contender and can beat either Backlund or Disalvo, it doesn't matter to him. He stops talking, thinks for a second, then nods and leaves. Then he comes back. He says that's it, that's all the talking he's going to do until he gets his title shot. He leaves. He comes back again, but Ron Strong says "we're out of time". Silva yells, you guys always do this to me, you never let me..
Bout #2
Phillip Navarre defeated Johnny K-9 by pinfall after an inside cradle at 4:40
-K-9 did more damage slapping the mat repeatedly after the loss then he did to his opponent during the match.
Interview:
Phillip Navarre is interviewed and admits to being disapointed with his Streetfight loss last week to Manny Silva. Navarre says that after he beat Kid Gallahad in the Medieval Rules match maybe he got too cocky, and thought he could take on anyone with their rules. He says its obvious that Silva has been fighting on the streets like an abandoned stray dog and knows how to survive. Well the Frenchman says he unfortunately learned how to fight in a wrestling ring...and of course a fencing court...oh yeah, and then there was jousting...but overall he is a scientific wrestler not a brawler, thats the point. It's a long time before retirement so he will just lick his wounds and wait for another chance to prove himself.
Promo:
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer returns this fall to CBS for a hit 3rd season. Starring Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer, the season premiere is on September 27th as Mike is hired by a woman to find her sister, whose disappearance might be connected to a religious talk radio show host.
Bout #3
Irish Pat Barrett defeated the Zodiac by pinfall after an Irish whip and a rollup at 1:23
-an extremely fast match, with Barrett's innocent looking whip to the buckle catching the masked newcomer off guard.
Promo;
Barry Orton is shown at the Minneapolis airport, he is waiting for someone to get off the plane. He tells the camera that he is very excited because he is picking up his new partner right now coming in from Yugoslavia, Chris Markoff. Sure enough a big burly man wearing a fur coat and matching hat (in August) comes through security and greets Orton. Markoff looks into the camera and says "nobody stop us...we come now to U-nited states..to R-C-W...me greatest Eastern block wrestler..him son of great e-marican wrestler Vob Orton Junior. How you puny guys stop us? you can not."
Bout #4
Misty Blue Simmes & Candi Divine battled Lelani Kai & Sherri Martel to a no-contest at 7:38
-Devine and Martel are new to RCW. The match started off rough but controlled enough. Simmes and Devine worked over Kai for a bit before Martel managed to turn things around and it was Devine playing Ricky Morton. Then things got out of hand, and it was started when Martel walked over and slapped Simmes across the face when the North American Women's champ was just standing on the apron hoping for a tag. Things quickly escalated after that and all four women got involved in a catfight in the middle of the ring. It ended when all four women piled onto each other with poor referee Wyatt Hall lying on the bottom of the pile (a going away present perhaps?). His legs were the only thing visible for a good minute, kicking and quivering, and when he finally did emerge with his shirt untucked, he called for the bell and threw the match out.
Interview:
Marty Goldstein comes to the ring and shakes Wyatt Hall's hand. He says the young man is off to University and urges the fans to wish him luck.
However, he says, that means as you know we have added Jurgen Hermann to the staff (this brings out prolonged jeers from the crowd, which Goldstein allows to be heard). At this time he calls out Jurgen Hermann (the jeers get louder).
Goldstein reminds fans and Hermann about Backlund losing the title last week to Disalvo and how his shoulder was clearly up. He asks Hermann flat out if he was biased or incompetent? Hermann takes the mic and says that officiating is a very difficult job, something people like Goldstein would know nothing about because they just watch from the back and second guess. Lots of stuff goes on, and occasionally yes something gets missed. Now earlier in the match Hermann says, can it be said he was biased? The fans may have jeered that he allowed things to go on that they normally might not see in an RCW match...but that is Stampede style. Goldstein says it looks more like he was chicken then letting things go.
The fans cheer as head referee Buddy Lane comes out to the ring. Goldstein tries to get in Lane's way but the former RCW wrestler turned referee won't back down. He gets the mic and tells Hermann he is a disgrace to RCW and to pro wrestling (loud cheer from the crowd). RCW is about the wrestlers, not the officials, the managers, the commissioner or whatever. And now all anyone can talk about is not that Disalvo is champ, not that Backlund got screwed over, (he apologizes for his language), but instead about the phantom three count. All week everyone keeps asking me about it, and about you Hermann, where normally at the local Robin's or Tim's they ask me about this wrestler or that wrestler. I want you out of RCW, now (another loud cheer).
Goldstein looks discouraged and tells Lane to back off, for now. Hermann has a valid contract that RCW will honor...but don't forget it has a clause for termination for bias. Lane looks disgusted and says "but its okay if he is just completely incompetent for everyone." Again Goldstein tells Lane to back off.
Promo: On Tonight's Evening News
-USSR reported arresting "US News and World Report" magazine correspondent Nicholas Daniloff for espionage; apparent circumstances of his arrest, believed in retaliation for recent arrest in New York City of Soviet UN staff member Gennady Zakharov
-Former astronaut James Irwin reported temporarily arrested in Turkey for espionage following his aerial filming of Mt. Ararat, in search of Noah's Ark
-Ivan Lendl -Jonas Svensson, Martina Navratilova and Kathy Horvath matches at United States Tennis Open
-Eagles coach Buddy Ryan profiled
[end of first hour]
Bout #5
Dan Kroffat & Brady Boone defeated Kid Gallahad & Chris Lyon by pinfall when Kroffat pinned Gallahad after a superkick at 8:56
-very solid match with Boone and Kroffat playing the spunky underdogs most of the match, both taking turns in trouble to the double teaming villians. However, they turned things around towards the end, but then the villians used another double team to eject Boone from the ring. While referee Kenny Jay applied the 5 count, Chris Lyon held onto Kroffat for Gallahad who came off the top rope with the Gallahad lance. But Kroffat got out of the way at the last second and Gallahad took out Lyon. When Gallahad got up he was fed some shoe leather and then covered.
Interview:
Dan Kroffat and Brady Boone basically throw their hat in as #1 contenders for the tag titles.
Interview:
The new RCW Heavyweight champion Strangler Steve Disalvo comes to the ring to a round of jeers, with the belt wrapped around his waist. He also has something new on his arm...Lisa Caress.
The new champ says that to the victor goes the spoils. He has gold, something the Kiniski brothers never could, and now he has a new manager.
Disalvo tells all the losers in the audience that he came through on his promise to win the title, and to cripple their champion. From what he has heard Bob Backlund is still in traction for his back. In fact Disalvo says, and he takes off the belt and lays it at his feet, why don't you come get it? Disalvo says he will give Backlund his rematch now...or never. The fans jeer him even louder.
Marty Goldstein comes to the ring. He apologizes to the fans for Disalvo's behaviour but also for his own hogging of air time and for appearing more then he should have to. However, he tells Disalvo that he (Disalvo) does not decide who wrestles for the title, and when. That is his job (Goldstein's). Bob Backlund will get his return bout and he will be well rested. Next week we are pre-empted, so when we return on September 13th Backlund's bad back will not be an issue.
Disalvo laughs, and says he made it an issue once, and he can do it again. And again there will be no corrupt RCW referee to get in the way.
No, Goldstein corrects him, because RCW officials are not corrupt. But this time the best of the best, Buddy Lane will be the referee for the match...and if Disalvo doesn't like it he can leave the title belt, but take the peroxide blonde, and go back to Boston.
Disalvo just fumes and then promises to take it out on Backlund.
Bout #6
RCW Television Title Match
Ben Bassarab defeated Great Gama by pinfall after a flying cross bodyblock at 10:03
[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW Television Title]
-Steve Blackman came down to the ring with Gama, but unlike Gama he doesn't have a managerial license so was sent to the back after a humorous attempt at trying to show a managers license to Buddy Lane "very quickly". Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a "Chuck Norris Fan Club Membership card".
-Bassarab controlled early with a fast pace and some aerial moves including three sets of flying headscissors that left Gama so wobbly that he fell out of the ring. However, Gama took over the middle of the match and tried to submit Bassarab with a cobra clutch and then a calcutta clutch (camel clutch), but the TV champ was not willing to give up his title. Gama made a mistake of showboating and jawing with the crowd when they clapped to try and rally Bassarab. This allowed the champ time to recover, and he fought back with fists from his knees, and then grabbing the tights of Gama brought him in for a couple headbutts to the midsection. Bassarab followed up with an airplane spin. He tried to climb to the top rope but was too dizzy, and had to climb down. Gama got up and charged the corner but was even dizzier and missed by a good two feet and bounced off the ropes. Bassarab nailed him with a clothesline, then a pair of dropkicks, and then his flying cross bodyblock finisher.
Promo;
"In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire: THE A-TEAM."...
The A-Team returns to TV this fall as Season 5 begins Friday September 26th with part 1 of a 3 part special "Dishpan Man". The A-Team is blackmailed by retired General Stockwell, who kidnaps Hannibal and threatens to have him prosecuted if the A-Team fails to secure the release of hostages held on a plane in Spain. Josh Curtis and Colonel Morrison join them, but one will betray them.
Video;
About two minutes of Van Halen's recent hit "Why Can't This Be Love" is set against highlites of Lisa Caress, Misty Blue Simmes, and LeLani Kai.
Main Event:
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Longriders (champions) v Midnight Rockers
Jannetty started things off against Wild Bill and frustrated him with a series of go-behinds, takedowns, and just general nuisance holds that didn't do a lot of damage. Michaels came in and continued until Wild Bill got over to his corner to tag in Scott Hogg. Michaels tried the same thing against Hogg but the bigger brother just nailed him with a forearm and followed with a spinebuster slam. Hogg then dropped a couple of kneedrops to the chest of Michaels, whipped him to the ropes but telegraphed a backbody drop. Michaels rolled over the back of Hogg, tagged in Jannetty with the blind tag. Hogg caught Michaels in a suspended choke, but Jannetty came off the ropes with a splash into the back of Michaels, driving all 3 men down to the mat with Hogg on the bottom.
This brought in Wild Bill and we had a 4 man brawl. Bill tossed Michaels out of the ring and then sent Jannetty to the buckle, and the 'riders took him high with a big double backbody drop. Hogg tagged in Bill who went to work on Jannetty with an armbar. He followed up with a pair of clotheslines, a bodyslam, and a knee drop. The champs used some quick tags and cut off the ring to keep Jannetty in trouble for a couple of minutes.
The crowd was pretty much split 50/50 in their support between the tag teams, with most of the females cheering for the Rockers.
Michaels banged his foot on the ring apron to rally his partner who tried to go between the legs of Hogg, but was caught by the waistband. He kept struggling thouogh and Hogg bent over with his back to Michaels was an easy target for the blonde Rocker to enter the ring and nail with a dropkick. Both teams tagged in fresh men.
Michaels went to work with a series of flying armdrags on Bill, until the champ blocked one and nailed the youngster with a clothesline. Wild Bill came off the far ropes with a fistdrop and then tagged in his brother. Michaels though took Hogg down with a droptoe hold, and then worked a side headlock. Hogg back on his feet lifted Michaels high in the air, but the Rocker gave him a noogie until he dropped him, and Michaels retained the headlock down to the mat. Hogg back up tried for a break by getting to the ropes, but Michaels vaulted off the middle buckle and took Hogg down again with a headlock. But because of the contact with the ropes referee Kenny Jay called for the break. Michaels whipped Hogg to the ropes for a chrisscross but also made the blind tag to Jannetty who hit Hogg with a flying dropkick, then Michaels hit him with a flying dropkick, still on his feet but wobbly Hogg was finally knocked down by Jannetty with a roll-up. He got a 2 count,. Hogg kicked out, then Wild Bill was in and clotheslined Jannetty. Another 4 man brawl broke out. The Rockers were whipped from opposite corners to the middle for a collision but Michaels slipped under the legs of Jannetty, then the Rockers nailed the champs with dropkicks against the buckles. They then tried to take them over with monkeyflips but the champs held onto the buckles and sent the Midnight Rockers flying. They then exploded out of the corner with clotheslines. Wild Bill tossed Michaels out of the ring, while Scott Hogg sent Jannetty to the ropes and nailed him with a spinebuster slam for the pin.
The Longriders defeated the Midnight Rockers by pinfall when Scott Hogg Irwin pinned Marty Jannetty after a spinebuster slam at 13:06
[The Longriders retain the RCW Tag Team Titles]
Post-Match
A dejected Midnight Rockers team none the less does a circuit around the ring high-fives for many fans as they leave. The Longriders salute their own fans from inside the ring with the tag belts held high.
Kid Gallahad and Chris Lyon though storm the ring from the back. They have brass knuckles and lay out both champions from behind. They turn them over and nail them with the knux in the head and both 'riders are wearing the proverbial crimson mask.
The crowd errupts though as the Midnight Rockers return to the ring from the backstage, grabbing steel chairs on their way in. Gallahad and Lyon though see them coming and exit the ring to avoid any damage.
That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.
See ya in two weeks!!