Ring Reels: AWA TV Title Match - Greg Gagne Vs. Adrian Adonis (1988 - Part 1)

Celebration and Mourning

Yesterday, commemorating the birth of the United States, Americans all across the country celebrated in unison. With the thrill of fireworks and the joy of other festivities, it is a day to remember for several families. It is also, on a darker note, a day to remember for the wrestling industry. On July 4, 1988, Mike Kelly, his twin brother Pat, Dave McKigney, and Adrian Adonis were gathered in a mini-van in Newfoundland, Canada. In avoidance of colliding with a moose, Kelly accidentally veered the car into a lake. The crash tragically took the lives of Pat Kelly, McKigney, and Adonis, leaving Mike Kelly, who had badly crushed legs, the only survivor. On year after the accident, another automobile crash nearly took the lives of Davey Boy Smith, Chris Benoit, and Jason the Terrible in Alberta, Canada. The most serious injury resulted in Smith gaining 1,000 stiches. For the third year in 1990, a pro wrestler faced hardship on Independence Day. Ed Leslie, aka Brutus Beefcake, suffered from serious facial injuries after a parceling accident in Florida. Leslie underwent reconstructive surgery in which he received steel plates, 40 screws, and countless staples. Four years later, the heart of the wrestling world sunk again. Joey Marella, son of the late great Gorilla Monsoon, had been a WWE referee for nearly a decade when another tragic car accident took his life. So, as most people joyously look at the beautiful fireworks on the 4th of July, wrestlers everywhere mourn the memories of their lost friends. Simply stated, triumph and tragedy.
This month learn more about "Adorable" Adrian Adonis as TWA Remembers.

The TWA Hall of Fame

Earlier this year, Lou Thesz and Ric Flair became the first inductees into the TWA Hall of Fame. Starting this month, one wrestler (or tag team) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame every month. Also expect a TWA Hall of Fame blog in the future. It is also my esteemed honor to announce the July inductee - Gorgeous George, to be inducted later in July. Thank You and keep reading TWA.

Ring Reels: Steel Cage Match - Bruno Sammartino & Tito Santana Vs. Adrian Adonis & Randy Savage (1986)

"....Know When to Fold 'Em"

Just a few months ago, Trevor Murdoch was singing "The Gambler", the 1978 Kenny Rogers classic (you know, "know when to hold 'em....). Yesterday, Trevor Murdoch was released by World Wrestling Entertainment. This came a somewhat of a surprise due to Murdoch, who had just gotten turned on by longtime partner Lance Cade, being drafted to Smackdown. It is unknown whether the three-time Tag Team Champion was released for lack of usefulness or something in the sort of a personal offense. Murdoch had developed into quite a talented wrestler. But not long ago, his character took a strange turn as each week he would sing karaoke. Eventually Cade turned on him to join Chris Jericho as an enforcer and Thursday, Trevor was fired. There are currently no rumors if he'll turn up in TNA where he began his mainstream career as a member of the Dupps. Good luck Trevor on future endeavors.

Ring Reels: AWA Championship Wrestling Intro

Vintage Viewings, but Classics?

On February 26, 2008, ESPN Classic began airing AWA Championship Wrestling (circa 1986-1988). When I got word of the announcement of the AWA's airing instead of the UWF which had been re-aired on Classic, I was quite excited. However, I neglected to watch an episode of AWA's 1980's hit until recently. I wasn't missing anything. Packed with jobber matches and lackluster color commentary by the Gagnes, the show is disappointing. Last night I was watching the program, which airs at midnight, and I dozed off in the middle of a bout between Chris Curtis and Steve Olsonoski. Neither of the wrestlers are known outside of perennial viewers of the AWA. And as I type this I realize that the best match was a squash won by Tommy "Wildfire" Rich with a botched "Thez press." The night before, the program was quite a bit stronger, sporting only one true squash and a hefty, but active Adrian Adonis. Yet the show wasn't top notch. There is one constant high spot for the airings - the interviews. The promos are almost always quality material featuring Curt Hennig, Larry Zbyszko, and Nick Bockwinkel. Another bug about AWA Championship Wrestling is the large amount of commercial breaks. So, all in all, the show is a huge letdown. Of course, ESPN isn't respecting it to much with classic rodeo as its lead-in. Nevertheless, it is wrestling, so if there is nothing else on the tube, the die-hard wrestling fan can easily stomach it with all its mediocre matches and meaningless squashes. But I do suggest ESPN look into other libraries such as AWA All-Star Wrestling and, if allowed, it would be amazing to see old editions of WCW Thunder. So if you're restless or seeking sleep, this program is a definite watch.

Ring Reels: The Mick Foley "Cane Dewey" Promo

Fountain of Youth

On Monday, CM Punk became the World Champion just one day after Kofi Kingston became the IC Champion and Ted DiBiase Jr. & Cody Rhodes won the tag team titles. One day later, it was finally revealed on ECW that the brand would essentially become a training ground for new stars. Atlas Ortiz, formerly Atlas DaBone, was the first to benefit from the plan as he won his debut bout against Armando Alejandro Estrada. It finally seems that WWE is looking at the youth on the roster and seeing something in them. For example, the newly crowned Tag Team Champions DiBiase and Rhodes, stern heels, earned time to talk to the fans which furthers their characters tremendously. One year ago, Brian Gerwitz, RAW's head writer, would have shot down any ideas pertaining to mic time for youngsters. Now, it seems there will be more promos by young sprigs to come. This could be the beginning of the quest for a new direction for the company. Previously, the company used its famous names as the headliners and slowly worked rookies to the mid-card and rarely to the top (i.e. Randy Orton and John Cena.) During this time, most of WWE's stars had come from a different decade such as Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Edge, the Big Show, and the Undertaker. And although somewhat of focus had remained on the rookies the past five years, a full show's roll call of champions has never been swept by youngsters. In addition, ECW aired a promo spot acknowledging the emergence of the young champions. So, in conclusion, look forward to new blood in the WWE.

Ring Reels: Black Saturday

Punk'd

At New Year's Revolution in 2006, Edge defeated John Cena for the WWE Title. This happened after Cena had competed in the Elimination Chamber only minutes earlier. Edge had benefited from winning the Money in the Bank ladder match several months ago which awards you a title shot at any given time. The next year, he would once again gain the Money in The Bank after defeating Mr.Kennedy for it. Edge defeated the injured and tired World Champion Undertaker who had beaten Mark Henry in a cage moments before. Last night, irony reared its ugly head. CM Punk defeated World Champion Edge who had been attacked by Batista after Edge disrespected hometown hero Jim Ross in Oklahoma City. Yes, WWE Creative succeeded this time. Edge, easily the most hated heel in the company along with his future wife and Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero. Also to do it in front of the OK fans who had just seen their idol, Good Ole' J.R., humiliated by Edge was genius. In addition, I agree with WWE's decision to crown Punk champion again. This ultimately evens out the balance of Champions on each brand. So all the confusion is settled. There is only one thing that I request of WWE. Please turn Batista against the new World Champion Punk; I think we are all tired of Batista as a face. Good luck C.M. and WWE, hopefully this is the break of the annual post-Wrestlemania creative drought.

Ring Reels: Dude Love Titantron

Night of Champions Review

*Results
1. WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and the Miz def. Finlay and Hornswoggle to retain the titles.
2. US Champion Matt Hardy def. Chavo Guerrero to retain the title.
3. Mark Henry def. ECW Champion Kane and the Big Show to win the title.
4. Ted DiBiase Jr. and World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes (the mystery partner) def. Hardcore Holly (and Cody Rhodes) when Rhodes turned on Holly to win the titles with DiBiase.
5. Kofi Kingston def. I-C Champion Chris Jericho to win the Intercontinental Title.
6. Women's Champion Mickie James def. Katie Lea to retain her title.
7. World Champion Edge def. Batista to keep the title.
8. WWE Champion Triple H def. John Cena to retain the title.
* Thoughts
The only real shock on the card came when Cena failed to regain the WWE Title. With the HHH victory, an unbalance remains on the brands with Smackdown hosting two World Champions. It was a solid show with its share of good match-ups. The only thing that frustrates and confuses me is the WWE Title match and the emerging of Kofi Kingston as the temporary champion of the Raw brand.
* My Predictions:
My record for the predictions I posted was 5-2 (the IC Title match was not added until during the show). The first match I failed to foresee correctly was the opener which was a toss-up. And, of course, I made a mistake on the main-event, and I believe very few people saw that coming.

Ring Reels: Promos for an MSG Event on Jan.21, 1980

Night of Champions Predictions

Here are my thoughts on WWE Night of Champions tonight on PPV:
1. Finlay & Hornswoggle def. John Morrison & The Miz to win the WWE Tag Team Titles.
- With Hornswoggle's popularity and the length of the current champions' reign, this seems likely.
2. Ted DiBiase Jr. & Mystery Partner def. Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes for the World Tag Team Titles.
- It is expected that Rhodes turns on Holly and joins DiBiase and his partner, possibly Deuce (Jimmy Snuka Jr.) in a second generation wrestlers stable.
3. An Intercontinental Title match could occur and it is possible Champion Chris Jericho could lose the title.
4. Matt Hardy def. Chavo Guerrero to retain the United States Title.
- Expect interference by La Familia, either way the title returns to ECW.
5. Mickie James def. Katie Lea Burchill to retain the Women's Title.
- This one is a tough decision, no matter who the victor is, Katie Lea emerges as a contender.
6. Mark Henry def. Kane and The Big Show for the ECW Title.
- It only seems plausible that Show or Henry wins. Also, Henry has been with the company for an extended period and could be paid his dues.
7. Edge def. Batista to retain the World Heavyweight Title.
- Most likely Edge will return with the title to Smackdown and engage in a extensive feud with Triple H.
8. John Cena def. Triple H to win the WWE Title.
- If this does indeed happen, a World Title would be present on every show which seems smart. This would result in HHH chasing Edge, the heel, for the World Heavyweight Title. This result would also allow Batista to turn heel on Cena in an intense feud.
* The overall pay-per-view seems enjoyable, but not excellent. Cena and HHH will most likely steal the show if Batista slacks off. This could be a nice way to get everything rounded off following the draft.