March

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #516
March 13, 1993
Winnipeg, Manitoba

*St. Patrick's Week Card*

An autograph session was held for fans earlier in the afternoon as part of the festivities of this card. Besides the normal roster of the RCW the guests; Brian Blair, Jim Neidhart, Nailz, Kevin Sullivan, and Warlord were also there. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Chris Walby and David Black were also present, as were Hall of Famers Corrie England, Tawney England, Mike Valiant, Chris Lyon, and The Destroyer. Retired Winnipeg Jets Joe Daley and Perry Miller, as well as musicians Kenny Shields and Lou Petrovich were also on hand. Hundreds of fans were in attendence.

The show started with members of the RCW Hall of Fame Committee Jack McAdam and Stan Mullen being joined in the ring by RCW commissioner Jim Brunzell. It was announced that after an extensive review of possible candidates, while there were plenty of good candidates, it was decided that there were no stand-out candidates for the Hall of Fame this year, and therefore there would be no induction in 1993. Part of the issue is that many of the people being considered were still in the prime of their careers and either were still wrestling in RCW or may one day return. 

Opening Bout
Jerry Fury defeated Ken Kendall by pinfall after a springboard leg lariat at 5:40
-premiere match for Jerry Fury, and while he won, he really looks like a glorified curtain jerker. 

Bout #2
L.A. Gore defeated Shark Bait by pinfall after a leg drop at 6:13
-another match between two glorified jobbers. Gore is physically impressive but a bit clumsy. Even so he had little trouble getting the duke.

Bout #3
Molly McShane defeated Stacy Jackson by pinfall after a jacknife powerbomb at 10:07
-solid match. Jackson looked good and held most of the advantage throughout the match, much to the delight of the fans. However, McShane managed a quick comeback with a kick to the gut, forearm upper, monkey flip out of the corner, bulldog, and then her finisher. Solid but unpopular win for the "Irish Star" Molly McShane.

Bout #4
Brett Como defeated Mike Lozansky by pinfall after a victory roll at 8:52
-Fast paced match with aerial moves, in and out of the ring, and some chain wrestling thrown in. Lozansky seemed to have the match in hand but when he went for his finisher a missile dropkick, Como managed to move out of the way and Lozansky wrecked himself. Como rolled him up and got the win.

Bout #5
Vlad Petrov (/w Nick Bockwinkel) defeated Harley Tragger by pinfall after a Russian Sickle at 9:47
-very even match. Tragger has "old man" strength even though he is not old yet,  but Petrov is a Bull. So Tragger found himself frustrated by his normal attempts to power through the match. Instead he went for a stick and move attack. Petrov controlled most of the latter minutes of the match though but couldn't put away Tragger, and when he went for a powerbomb Tragger countered with impressive flying headscissors. Tragger took it to Petrov but Bockwinkel managed to reach in and trip up Tragger, unseen by long time inept referee Jurgen Hermann. When he scrambled to his feet he was nailed by the big finisher.

Bout #6
Vendetta defeated Warlord by disqualification for abuse of official at 7:05
-fairly even match with the local hero Vendetta giving it as good as he got from the guest Warlord. In the end it seemed that the ego of Warlord would not let him loose so he intentionally threw the ref Buddy Lane out of the ring to get himself disqualified. The two continued to brawl outside the ring after the match with Warlord finally taking off to avoid a beating.

Bout #7
Eight Man Elimination Tag Match
Sebastien Rikard/Lenny Thompson/Nailz/Kevin Sullivan vs Ben Bassrab/Archangel/Jim Neidhart/Brian Blair
-Sebastien Rikard eliminated by Jim Neidhart after a powerslam at 5:15
-Nailz eliminated by disqualification for use of a foreign object after hitting Brian Blair with a steel chair at 9:02
-Brian Blair eliminated by Kevin Sullivan after a double stomp, already injured from the chair shot, at 9:24
-Archangel and Kevin Sullivan both eliminated after a double countout as they brawled outside the ring at 13:11
-Jim Neidhart eliminated by Lenny Thompson after a big boot to the face at 16:08
-Lenny Thompson eliminated by Ben Bassarab after a diving crossbody block at 27:00
Ben Bassarab/Archangel/Jim Neidhart/Brian Blair defeated Sebastien Rikard/Lenny Thompson/Nailz/Kevin Sullivan in an Eight Man Elimination Match at 27:00
[Ben Bassarab the only survivor]

Bout #8
North American Women's Title Match
Cynthia Rothrock defeated April Cummings by pinfall after a sunset flip at 8:27
[Cynthia Rothrock retained the North American Women's Title]
Rothrock wins the return match much to the delight of the fans who really like the diminutive butt kicking style of the martial arts based actress and wrestler. Seemed to be a bit more urgency to the game of Cummings tonight, walking the fine line of disqualification. It looked like Rothrock had the match in hand and was going to finish it off with her spinning heel kick, but Cummings saw it coming, ducked away, swept the leg, dropped an elbow, and locked in an STF. Rothrock escaped the hold but Cummings kept going at her, but made the mistake of telegraphing a back bodydrop and Rothrock countered with a sunset flip and got the duke. 

Bout #9
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Baron von Raschke & Brad Rheingans defeated Dirty White Boy & Dirty Barry Horowitz by pinfall when Rheingans pinned Horowitz after an Olympic suplex at 16:36
[Baron von Raschke & Brad Rheingans Won the RCW Tag Team Title]
-The challengers started the bout a house on fire. But everytime they would get a sustained advantage one of the Dirty White Boys would do a run in and upset the apple cart. Then the champs took over and Rheingans played Ricky Morton for a while, with the champs using distraction and arguing with referee Jurgen Hermann to their advantage. Finally the hot tag was made and Raschke came in and cleaned house. Rheingans worked over Horowitz and this time when DWB tried to interfere he was cut off at the pass by Raschke which allowed Rheingans to nail his finisher and the titles changed hands. Raschke is now a double champion holding both the Heritage title and Tag Title.

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Jerry Lynn defeated Manny Silva by disqualification for use of a foreign object at 14:40
[Jerry Lynn retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
-Silva attacked Lynn before the bell could sound, and ran him from post to post. He nailed a quick piledriver and got a 2 count. He then threw Lynn outside the ring and followed after him. The challenger whipped Lynn back first into the ring apron, and then did the same thing to the steel barricade before following up with a clothesline that flipped Lynn over the barricade. Back inside the ring Silva paused to work an armbar and then a nerve hold, and finally a neck vice. Having weakened the champ up he went for another piledriver but this time the champ countered with a backflp. It wasn't enough to get the champ the advantage but he slowly dragged himself back into this match, then took it over when Silva charged into the second buckle when Lynn ducked under, rolled him up for a 2 count. Lynn was then a ball of fire with a standing dropkick, a side kick, leg spreader and a kneedrop to the lower abdomen. Lynn then began to just wildly stomp away at the challenger until, ignoring the count of referee Buddy Lane, he kicked Silva right out of the ring. However, he made the mistake of taking his eyes off Silva and while he was arguing with Lane, Silva reached in and tripped up Lynn, then dragged him out of the ring. Silva nailed him with a pair of running clotheslines, but when he went for a powerslam Lynn countered with flying headscissors. Lynn broke the count by rolling back into the ring but he then climbed all the way to the top buckle and came off in a flying crossbody block on Silva still on the arena floor. Lynn took the match back inside and nailed a series of kicks and punches before nailing a German suplex and got a 1 count. Lynn nailed a monkeyflip, followed by a series of mounted punches, and two snap suplexes, and got a 2 count. Lynn put on the cross armbreaker but Silva made his way to the ropes for a break. A criss cross series followed with Lynn nailing a cross bodyblock only to have it countered by Silva with a powerlsam for a 2 count. Silva nailed a pair of knee drops, some chops, a backbreaker and a 2 count. Silva tried for his wheelbarrow suplex but Silva fought his way out of it. Frustrated Silva took the champ down with a flying clothesline, followed by a boot choke, and then a choke slam, but only got a 2 count. Silva then threw Lynn out of the ring and the two brawled on the floor. Lynn nailed a flying kneesmash from the apron and that was the final straw for Silva who snapped. The mad Hawaiian grabbed a steel chair and ~waffled~ the champion across the head. Buddy Lane called for the DQ, but that didn't stop Silva from nailing the champ 3 more times until help arrived to end the mayhem. Lynn was busted wide open. This feud does not appear to be over.

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #517
March 27, 1993
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Opening Bout

Dirty Barry Horowitz defeated Jerry Fury by pinfall after a bridging Northern Lights suplex at 6:46

-an enhancement match, which saw Horowitz pick up a rare singles victory. Fury is now 1-1 in RCW.

Bout #2

Mike Lozansky defeated L.A. Gore by disqualification for use of a foreign object at 5:30

-the bigger Gore had his moments but once Lozansky took over the bout Gore could not take it and used a steel chair on his opponent to get an intentional DQ

Bout #3

April Cummings defeated Dottie Bittle after a superplex at 3:33

-seemed impressive that the former California Bikini model Bittle could take a superplex, but it didn't seem too impressive when they had to take her off on a stretcher after the bout

Bout #4

Harley Tragger defeated Brett Como by pinfall after a powerbomb at 8:20

-a match between two mid-carders that helped settle the pecking order here in RCW. Como had his share of the action but in the end the power of Tragger trumped the agility and cheating of Como.

Bout #5

Dirty White Boy defeated Brad Rheingans by pinfall after a chokeslam (and with his feet on the ropes) at 7:43

-with his tag team champion partner Baron von Raschke having to defend his Heritage title tonight Rheingans found himself matched up against one half of the former champions the Dirty White Boys. DWB grabbed the early advantage with chokeholds and a punch to the throat. Rheingans managed to make a comeback but Barry Horowitz came to ringside which distracted the ref and Rheingans, and this allowed DWB to Pearl Harbor him and take back control. A whip to the ropes and Rheingans taken down with an elbow to the chest. A boot choke, bodyslam, another boot choke, German suplex, another boot choke, and finally his chokeslam finisher. Rheingans still looked like he would have kicked out but DWB draped his feet over the middle strand for extra leverage to get the tainted win.

Bout #6

Molly McShane defeated Beverlee Hills by submission to the cloverleaf at 6:02

-Beverlee Hills returned from her injury to take on McShane in a match that would have to be considered a #1 contenders match for Cynthia Rothrock's Women's title. Hills had her moments but McShane is just a better, more experienced grappler.

Bout #7

Sebastien Rikard & Lenny Thompson defeated Ben Bassarab & Archangel by pinfall when Thompson pinned Archangel after a big boot to the face at 9:07

-rematch from February where these two teams battled to a time limit draw. This time Rikard & Thompson elevated their game by cheating more and distracting the ref. It also seemed like Bassarab and Archangel simply gave up trying to fight both their opponents and referee Jurgen Hermann, punctuated by Bassarab not trying to break up the pin. The win puts Rikard & Thompson solidly in the tag team title conversation.

Bout #8

Brian Blair defeated Kevin Sullivan by disqualification for use of a foreign object (brass knuckles) at 7:58

-Blair wanted a wrestling match, but Sullivan wanted a brawl, and the brawl prevailed. That did mean however that Sullivan controlled much of the match. But once Blair made his comeback Sullivan risked DQ by using brass knuckles, and got caught by referee Buddy Lane and disqualified. Despite the loss Sullivan opened up the head of Blair, and the save was made by commissioner (and friend of Blair's) Jumpin' Jimmy Brunzell.

Bout #9

RCW Heritage Title Match

Baron von Raschke and Vlad Petrov (/w Nick Bockwinkel) battled to a no-contest at 9:38

[Baron von Raschke retained the RCW Heritage Title]

-Petrov gave Raschke probably his toughest challenge since the big German won the title last year. It looked like the title might change hands after Petrov worked over the back of the champion with double axhandles, surfboard, bodyslams, backbreaker, and repetitive use of the bearhug. But Raschke managed to put the clawhold onto the skull of the big Russian while still in the bearhug. Refereee Jurgen Hermann had to keep checking with both men to see if either was going to submit. Finally Petrov's arms dropped his grasp on the champ and he fell to one knee. Bockwinkel stood on the ring apron yelling at Petrov, and then suddenly Dirty White Boy and Barry Horowitz hit the ring and attacked Raschke. It was a 2 on 1 until Brad Rheingans hit the ring to even things up, Bockwinkel and Petrov made it 4 on 2, and then Harley Tragger, Mike Lozansky, and Ben Bassarab came out to set things in order...but this drew out Lenny Thompson and Sebastien Rikard and we had a full blown pier 6 brawl.

Main Event

RCW Heavyweight Title Match

Manny Silva defeated Jerry Lynn by pinfall after a front layout suplex at 14:37

[Manny Silva Wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]

-surprisingly the match started off a bit slow and tentative with both men feeling it out. Lynn worked a series of armbars, and Silva countered with a series of headlocks and headscissors. Silva picked up the pace knocking Lynn over with a shoulderblock following a criss cross segment. A rear naked chinlock was scrapped in favor of driving his knee into the back of the champ. A backbreaker was next for Silva before locking the champ in a Boston crab. Lynn managed to get to the ropes and then fight back with a series of kicks, forearms, and then a running mat slam. Lynn then went to the top rope and came off with a flying cross body block and got 1, 2, kickout! The champ was on fire and hit a spinning heel kick, went for the Gory special..but Silva countered with the Greco-Roman rake of the eyes. Silva walked off the damage, and when Lynn tried to smash his head into the buckle he fed him an elbow to the kisser. Silva then exploded with a spinebuster slam, covered for a 2 count. The challenger went to work with a knee drop from the 2nd buckle, a blatant choke hold, a rope rake of the forehead, single leg takedown into a leglock. The challenger worked the leglock for a bit before dropping a knee into the leg instead. He went for a figure-four but the champ kicked Silva off and sent him flying between the ropes. This bought the champ time and when the two hooked up again inside the ring they traded kicks and punches. Silva got the better of it and the followed up with a slingshot catapult into the corner, a roll up, for 1, 2, handful of tights seen by referee Buddy Lane and he calls for the break. Lynn attacked with a kneelift and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a 1 count. More fisticuffs followed by a criss cross segment, and Lynn reversed a whip to the ropes and sent Silva straight into referee Buddy Lane who went down hard. Silva took the opportunity to kick the champ in the crotch and then nail a DDT. He covered but there was no referee. Silva went over to check on Lane and the champ got up, then went back down playing possum. As Silva went to pick up Lynn by the hair the champ rolled him up instead..but Lane was still groggy and by the time he laid down the count of 1 Silva was able to roll out of it. Back on their feet Silva went for a clothesline which Lynn countered with a duck under and a backslide...but Lane was still groggy and managed a pretty slow 2 count. Back on their feet Silva went for a kick to the gut, but Lynn caught the foot, spun Silva around, went for a swinging neckbreaker, but Silva blocked it, and nailed a front layout suplex. Silva covered for 1, 3, shoulder up by the champ...but 3!! Lane still groggy missed an obvious shoulder up and we have a new champ!