In 1985, the American Wrestling Association decided to join forces with the National Wrestling Alliance to answer the growing popularity of the WWF after Wrestlemania by holding SuperClash. Two more companies, World Class Championship Wrestling and All Japan Wrestling even joined. The show turned out somewhat of a success when 21,000 fans filled Comiskey Park in Chicago. In some featured bouts, Sherri Martel won the AWA Women's Title, WCCW Champion Kerry Von Erich defeated Jimmy Garvin, and The Road Warriors def. the Freebirds by DQ to retain the AWA Tag Titles. The AWA's main events were Greg Gagne, Curt Henning, and Scott Hall def. Nick Bockwinklel, Ray Stevens, and Larry Zbysko, and the World Title bout between Stan Hansen and Rick Martel ended in a double count out. The NWA main evented with Ric Flair def. Magnum T.A. to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The first SuperClash was considered a success , but SuperClash III would result in the eventual death of AWA when half the superstars on the show, including Champion Jerry Lawler, didn't even recieve a night's pay. The AWA would go on to be the first major company to be swallowed up by the WWF. After 40+ years, the AWA ended in 1991. To this day, Verne still holds a "personal grudge" on VInce McMahon. Several wrestlers who wrestled for the AWA today say they were contractually mistreated and didn't get the attention they deserved. Even though for years the AWA seemed great to the fans, there was always a troubled locker room scene.
9.28.2007
9.26.2007
The MSG Dream Match
In the mid to late seventies several stars were starting to make a name for themselves. Two of those were "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and "Superstar" Billy Graham. Then, the once promoting geniuses of the then World Wide Wrestling Federation came up with an idea of making two of the country's biggest upcoming stars, Rhodes and Graham. At the time Dusty did not work for the WWWF, he was playing a big role in Championship Wrestling from Florida. On the other hand, Graham had just burst on the scene and was the reigning WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. The two would collide in Madison Square Garden to a sold out crowd. Also, not to far from M.S.G., the Felt Forum was packed full because of the showing of the match on closed circuit television. The match would end in awe as Graham walked out and lost via count out. The match was considered a huge success and would go on to be one of the most memorable matches in company history.
Also today is what is said to be the one hundred and twenty second anniversary of the first wrestling match to be seen publicly in Australia. The match was a win by William Miller over Clarence Royal. This only proves that the world has loved and followed wrestling for over a full century.
Also today is what is said to be the one hundred and twenty second anniversary of the first wrestling match to be seen publicly in Australia. The match was a win by William Miller over Clarence Royal. This only proves that the world has loved and followed wrestling for over a full century.
9.24.2007
The Big Move
Exactly one year ago, Kurt Angle made his biggest career decision to date. He would jump from sports entertainment tycoon to the fresh establishment of TNA Wrestling. There he would prove to be one of the top contenders of the business while staying healthy for the longest period of time in quite some time. He is the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, and TNA claims the upcoming Sting Vs. Angle match-up at their biggest annual pay- per-view, Bound for Glory, is the largest in the company's five year history. It is fully possible that "Our Olympic Hero" will prove to be an even bigger factor in the growth of TNA than he was a superstar in the WWE.
A commonly over looked legends is Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. One of the glory hog type characters of the 1980s, his success was virtually limited to certain regions until 1984 when he defeated Tito Santana in Ontario to win the prestigious WWF Intercontinental Championship. Coming in to the bout, Santana had a lame leg from a previous match. Valentine used every way possible to weaken the leg even more which would lead to his victory. He digressed though hitting "The Hammer" with a flying forearm. He would score a pinfall, but before Santana knew it the referee had reversed the decision due to Valentine having his leg outside the ring. Following that, Valentine blindsided Tito with a blow to the vulnerable leg. He would then secure the win and come away with the title. In a post match attack, Greg put the ailing former champion in a figure-four leglock and further injuring the leg. The feud would rage on for nearly a full year proving that Valentine was one of the most well-polished heels in his era.
A commonly over looked legends is Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. One of the glory hog type characters of the 1980s, his success was virtually limited to certain regions until 1984 when he defeated Tito Santana in Ontario to win the prestigious WWF Intercontinental Championship. Coming in to the bout, Santana had a lame leg from a previous match. Valentine used every way possible to weaken the leg even more which would lead to his victory. He digressed though hitting "The Hammer" with a flying forearm. He would score a pinfall, but before Santana knew it the referee had reversed the decision due to Valentine having his leg outside the ring. Following that, Valentine blindsided Tito with a blow to the vulnerable leg. He would then secure the win and come away with the title. In a post match attack, Greg put the ailing former champion in a figure-four leglock and further injuring the leg. The feud would rage on for nearly a full year proving that Valentine was one of the most well-polished heels in his era.
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