AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN Classic 07.19.09

AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN Classic

We’re in Las Vegas at the Showboat on June 24, 1986.

COLONEL DeBEERS vs. DENNIS STAMP
It looks like I’m done making Dennis Stamp jokes, he actually impressed the hell out of me here. He wrestles a lot like Terry did in the ‘70’s and how Dory, Jr. does, lots of stuff on the mat. But it actually worked quite well, he was great with catching DeBeers in wristlocks and armbars and keeping him at bay, if DeBeers would escape, he’d have the hold reapplied before long. The match wasn’t going anywhere, but it was good filler and showed that Stamp has more to offer than just jobbing duties. DeBeers isn’t too shabby himself, he takes control when Stamp has a wristlock on and DeBeers runs him throat first into the post, and he tries at first to use his usual roughhouse tactics, but even those aren’t enough to keep Stamp down. DeBeers impressively pulls off a beautiful O’Connor roll, and snatches victory from defeat when Stamp catches his leg on a kick attempt and DeBeers hits an enzuigiri and then quickly hits the front piledriver.

Larry Nelson with Colonel DeBeers. Usual DeBeers rant about how South Africa is superior to the USA. He says Scott Hall is the perfect example of the America’s finest (America’s finest drunks?). He’s got the body of a thoroughbred but a brain the size of a walnut.

CURT HENNIG vs. JAY YORK
York works over Curt’s arm with a Kimura (keylock) early on, and Curt escapes with a hiptoss. York isn’t deterred and then uses a Cobra Clutch, which Curt needs to use the ropes to escape. York changes up and goes more roughhouse with some punches, and Curt fires back with a big left hand with a nice audible smack. Curt goes after the arm with an elbow lock, but York goes to the eyes and Curt is blinded. York whips Curt into the corner but Curt gets on the second rope and hits a charging York with the dropkick for the win. The finish was a bit sudden, but the match was fun. So far things are looking up for this show.

Larry Nelson with Curt Hennig. Larry asks if Curt is concentrating on singles. Curt is for now because Col. DeBeers injured Scott Hall’s neck, and he doesn’t want to be in his shoes when Hall is back. As far as his goals, the priority now is regaining the tag team titles, because he’ll be “danged” if he’s going to stand by while Rose and Somers wear them.

It’s time for In This Corner with Larry Zybyszko and Larry Nelson. The subject is the new AWA Tag Team Champions, Buddy Rose and Doug Somers. We start with a clip of the title change and then get their thoughts on it. Nelson says it’s a travesty and Zybyszko says it’s a great win. Sherri and Doug come out and Zybyszko wants Nelson to congratulate them and he’s in shock of it, and finally gives an insincere congratulations to them. It sounds like a parent making their child say thank you or something to that effect. Nelson butts out and lets Zybyszko handle things. The new champions are enjoying themselves, Buddy Rose is in Hawaii while Sherri and Doug handle TV this week. Sherri has her eyes on the Ladies Title that was robbed from her in Winnipeg.

SHAWN MICHAELS/MARTY JANNETTY vs. BORIS ZUKHOV/THE BARBARIAN
The good match streak continues! This is a pretty straightforward formula tag match, Jannetty controls Zukhov early on with headlocks, and then when they both tag Barbarian gets some heat on Shawn, using his power to wear him down. Shawn takes over when Boris comes back in and rams him into the turnbuckle a few times (and Boris’ selling is hilarious), they both tag again and it’s Marty’s turn to be worked over, which is primarily with a bearhug, first from Barbarian and then Zukhov. Despite the ref’s warnings, Marty uses closed fists to escape the bearhug and tag. Then all hell breaks loose with all four, it looks like Shawn has it wrapped up, but Buddy Rose (not in Hawaii, it seems) pushes him off and he straddles the top and lets Boris get the pin.

Larry Nelson with the Midnight Rockers. They’re none too pleased about the outcome, Marty says “No Guts” Buddy Rose is a more fitting name since they won’t give them a title shot but will interfere in their matches. Hey, now, it was only Buddy, leave Doug out of this. Shawn (who nearly drops the F-Bomb) wants Buddy to get his “Fat Butt” and his partner out to the ring and give them a title shot right now! But we’re out of time for this week.