Tremendous Tirades: AWF’s Warriors of Wrestling, Disc One, Episodes 1-5

This is the release of the American Wrestling Federation, circa 1994-1995. Take Koko B. Ware, Tito Santana, Greg Valentine, The Sarge and have Mick Karch and Terry Taylor commentate and this is what you get. The matches had round systems, the rounds are 4 minutes long with a 1-minute rest period in between. If you throw a man over the top or touch a ref, it’s a DQ. If the match goes the whole time, IE all the rounds, it is then the referees decision on who wins.

Episode #1

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – The Ultimate Destroyer (0-0) vs. Tito Santana (0-0)

Lots of basic reversals to begin. Tito is still is good shape here, and the crowd does love him. Head scissors take down by Tito, but the Destroyer gets the ropes. Go behind by Tito, elbows by Destroyer and then a shoulder block. Arm drag by Tito, and he tries to keep the Destroyer down. Knee by Destroyer, Tito off the ropes, reversal and an atomic drop and Destroyer flies over the top, but the ref says momentum carried him over, no DQ. Another arm bar by Tito, 0:30 left in Rd. 1. Slam by the Destroyer, off the ropes and misses a splash. Backdrop by Tito. Dropkick to the Destroyer and that’s all for Rd. 1.

They have little stools and shit like boxing and all for the rest period.

Destroyer wants to shake hands to begin Rd. 2, Tito is all like piss off dude. Lock up and Destroyer rakes his eyes. Head butts to Tito, but Tito gets some arm drags. Tito off the ropes…stun gun by the Destroyer. He has Tito up, but Tito fights him off with a dropkick and then Tito gets the Flying Jalapeno to finish the match.

Winner: Tito Santana via pin @ 1:21 of Round 2

Extended jobber match. Tito looked in shape and overall really good, the Destroyer, not so much. ¾*

Ken Resnick is with Tito. Tito feels good about the round system, about the promotion as a whole as they are bringing back wrestling. Tito says you have to be in shape and knowing how to wrestle will finally pay off for him, I think that was a shoot brother!

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Billy Joe Eaton (0-0) vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (0-0) w/Rico Suave

Look up to begin, and arm drags by Eaton. Arm bar now, and Valentine escapes, off the ropes and a clothesline by Valentine levels Eaton. Crushing elbows by Valentine and then knee drops to the ribs of Eaton. Off the ropes, back elbow to Eaton. During the match we see a little picture in picture interview with Gentleman Chris Adams! Mark out! The English started wrestling and had rounds. The AWF is a true alternative and he’ll debut next week. Sweet! Back to the match, Valentine is kicking the shit out of Eaton. Eaton tries to fire back, but Valentine with an elbow smash off the 2nd rope. Figure four leg lock and that’s all.

Winner: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine via submission @ 3:01 of Round 1

Smooth squash there, Valentine looked good and they put him over huge on commentary. *

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Sonny Rogers (0-0) vs. Tony Atlas (0-0)

Rogers attacks before the bell, to the 2nd rope and a double sledge takes Atlas down. Jawbreaker by Rogers now. Off the ropes and a shoulder block for nothing. Tries another and he falls down. Press slam by Atlas. Head butt by Atlas and Rogers rolls to the floor. Back in, and a backdrop by Atlas. Eye rake by Rogers, and a dropkick to the back of Atlas. Elbow drops now and a cover for 2. Atlas is pissed now and he looks like he wants to kill poor Rogers. Rights by Atlas. Hard Irish whip and a hip toss to Rogers. Atlas is making him his bitch and locks in the bear hug. Rogers escapes, boots and eye rake again to Atlas as Rd. 1 ends.

Rd. 2 starts now. Atlas tosses Rogers around as we find out that Atlas won the first round. Apparently we will see Johnny Gunn and he will “housebreak” the nation. Atlas is boring me with the same shit over and over again and Rogers does the WORST Flair flop EVER! Press slam by Atlas…and down. Off the ropes and a splash by Atlas and he wins in Ultimate Warrior Style.

Winner: Tony Atlas via pin @ 2:00 of Round 2

That was bad. The same thing over and over again. What was worse is that it took Atlas 2 rounds to beat this jabroni. (N-R)

Ken is with the AWF president Paul Alperstein. He has been a fan for many years, and he has seen the industry change and he wanted to go back to the business’s roots. He goes back over the rules and says that they WILL be enforced. He thinks that the round system would be unique and people will want to see it. In the very near future, they will be touring the US and other countries. (Oops!)

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Rick Thunder (0-0) vs. Nailz (0-0)

Nailz just kicks the shit out of Thunder. He chokes him now and then tosses him across the ring. He bites the guy, nice. Thunder is tossed to the floor. Nailz follows and rams Thunder off of the steel railing. HAHA he tosses a stool at him! He has a chair now and levels Thunder. Nailz back in the ring and that’s all.

Nailz now grabs a cable and basically hangs poor Rick Thunder!

Winner: Rick Thunder via DQ @ 1:45 of Round 1

Nailz is crazy, I like this. ½*

Ken is with Sir Oliver Humperdink. He knows where the good things are happening and he says people are unhappy to see him. He has with him, the greatest tag team ever…the Hangmen! They are here to beat people up.

We are told that Nailz has been fined and possibly suspended already!

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Ken McGuire (0-0) vs. Sgt. Slaughter (0-0)

Lock up to begin and Slaughter takes him to the corner and then backs off. Lock up again and Ken nails him, and Slaughter is pissed. Ken McGuire looks like a big sack of shit in pink tights. Slaughter with a stiff shot to Ken. Another star interview and it is none other that Sheik ADNAN ALKAHASSIE and he is coming to take out the Sarge! For some reason Ken is getting a lot of offence in on Slaughter, but thankfully he fights back and Slaughter drops him with a knee. Elbow and gut buster by Slaughter. Big clothesline called the “Slaughter cannon” and then the Cobra Clutch and thankfully that’s all.

Winner: Sgt. Slaughter via submission @ 2:38 of Round 1

The Sarge wins over a dude that looked like they pulled him out of a bar. (N-R)

Ken is with the Sarge. Slaughter gives Ken a little flag. He is glad that this place has rules and regulations. He digs the round system, and them makes fun of pink tights man.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Bobby Bradley (0-0) vs. Koko B. Ware (0-0)

Lock up and Bradley with rights to Ware. Quick hip tosses by Ware and the crowd is into it already. Boots by Bradley, off the ropes and Ware gets a dropkick. Right to Bradley and he rolls to the floor to regroup. Ware chases him a bit and Bradley gets some knees to the gut. He bites Ware and then gets some elbows. Bradley rams Ware into the corner numerous times, then chokes him over the ropes. Ware tries to fight out of the headlock now, Ware to his feet and escapes. Off the ropes and Bradley gets a clothesline for 2. Another headlock by Bradley, Ware to his feet again and after a reversal Ware gets a sleeper but the time is out in the first round.

Round 2 starts with Bradley beating down Ware. We see another star deal, and Mr. Hughes will debut next week. Ware misses a cross body off the 2nd rope and Bradley covers for 2. Ware fights back and gets a suplex. Ware starts to fight back and gets a boot off of the top rope for 2. Ghost Buster finishes Bradley.

Winner: Koko B. Ware via pin @ 1:56 of Round 2

Actually a well worked match, good fun was had by all. *¼

Ken is with Rico Suave and his man Greg Valentine. Suave puts over Valentine, and they discuss woman with a computer and that it says that 2 more names will join with Valentine. Valentine says he is synonymous with greatness and the master of the figure four.

Episode #2

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Ronnie Vegas (0-0) vs. Johnny Gun (0-0)

For those that are curious, Johnny Gun is none other that Tom Brandi. Lock up and elbows by Vegas, who looks like Savage if he lived on the streets and ate too much ice cream. Rights and sledge like shots by Vegas and Gun is in trouble. A reversal and a clothesline by Gun get him back in things. He pulls him out of the corner and then a catapult to Vegas. Off the ropes and Gun gets a tiger driver, called the house-quake for the win.

Winner: Johnny Gun via pin @ 2:46 of Round 1.

Good opener, the crowd liked it and they put Gun over strong. *

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Jimie V. (0-0) vs. Hercules w/Sheik ADNAN ALKAHASSIE (0-0)

Hercules isn’t quite in WWF shape here, but he doesn’t look bad. Jimie is like 200 lbs at most and Hercules just tosses him around like a sack of shit. Hercules delivers a choke slam and Jimie turns and takes it stomach first, that had to hurt. The Sheik mocks the kid and Hercules finally wins with a powerbomb.

Winner: Hercules via pin @ 2:57 of Round 1.

Awesome squash, tons of fun. *

Ken is with the Sheik and Hercules. Ken says the Sheik is mean, and Sheik says he delivered on his surprise. Hercules could use some hair dye and a tan, but he looks ok. Hercules was promised that he could run over everyone here and he will.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Butler Stevens and Mike Brahm (0-0) vs. The Texas Hangmen w/Sir Oliver Humperdink (0-0)

I think these are the same hangmen that worked in the AWA, if they are they are Mike “Psycho” Moran & Rick “Killer” Ganter.

Stevens and Killer begin. Shoulder blocks, and they take him down. I guess psycho tags in and he levels Stevens with rights. Back suplex and a cover for 2. Brahm gets the tag finally and then eats a boot. Killer tags back in and a side slam and elbow drop combo. Sweet back suplex by Killer on Brahm. Tag to Psycho, slam and an elbow drop to Brahm. Modified Camel Clutch by Psycho now. Tag to Killer and a double back elbow to Brahm. Belly to belly to Brahm, tag to Psycho. Neck breaker/double sledge combo called the “gallows” finish it for the Hangmen.

Winners: The Texas Hangmen via pin @ 3:52 of Round 1. *

Solid squash, nothing bad or really great about it.

Ken is with Tito and his Matador jacket! Tito says that Humperdink and the Hangmen are bad news. He shills the round system and good wrestling. He appreciates the fans and will always fight for them.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Lightning Rod (0-0) vs. Hurricane Smith(0-0)

Wow, these guys look like something out of Bum Fights. Rod attacks, but Smith makes him afraid because he is supposedly 7 foot 1 inch tall and 400 lbs. Slams to Rod. Standing splash and that is all.

Winner: Hurricane Smith via pin @ 0:45 of Round 1.

BLAH! (ASS)

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Bobby Bradley (0-1) vs. Mr. Hughes (0-0)

Hughes talks smack to BB and then jacks him with a right. He rakes the face and then yells at the ref. Big back drop as we see MICHAEL PS HAYES in the interview corner! Fuckin A baby! Anyway, BB tries like 4 dropkicks, but Hughes says no way bitch and gets a side back breaker. Off the ropes and a dropkick by Hughes, that was nice. Suplex to BB and Hughes fixes his tie. Off the ropes and a HUGE sidewalk slam, more of a huge chokeslam deal finished it.

Winner: Mr. Hughes via pin @ 2:34 of Round 1.

Fun squash. *

Ken is with President Paul Alperstein. They talk about him fining Nailz. Hughes is there and the President fines Hughes $3,000 for starting a match before the bell. What a crock. Hughes gonna kill a bitch!

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Trevor Blanchard (0-0) vs. “Cowboy” Bob Orton Jr. w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink (0-0)

Bob looks really good here still. Considering that he is around 43-44 here I think. Blanchard is related to Tully. Some really nice reversals and mat work to begin. Bob finally resorts to a right and takes control of Blanchard. Slam now and the piped in crowd is VERY noticeable right here, the first time I really noticed it. Stun gun by Bob and he just continues to punish Blanchard. Piledriver to Blanchard and that’s it.

Winner: Bob Orton via pin @ 2:36

Good mat work and flow for an under 3-minute match, best thing I have seen so far. *½

Ken is with Humperdink and Bob Orton. Humperdink cracks me up as he keeps changing shirts. He says Bob will win the AWF title. Bob says he took a good wrestler apart tonight, because he knows how to daddy.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Ron Powers (0-0) vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams (0-0)

Powers is impressive looking, much better (physique wise) than the rest of the job squad they have paraded out for us. Lock up and to the ropes they go and a shove by Powers. They lock up again as they put over Adams on commentary, since he is from England and knows the round system. They jockey for position, and Powers swings for a wild right but Adams ducks and Powers falls to the floor. Powers back in and Adams with dropkicks to Powers and he gets pissed and goes to the floor. Back in, lock up and a side headlock take down by Adams. Powers works to escape, to his feet and they collide and Powers doesn’t move. Hip toss by Adams and a fujiwara arm bar by Adams now. Powers tries to power out, but he can’t and finally manages the ropes. Time winds down and Adams gets another variation on an arm bar, but the bell rings for the end of round 1.

Round 2 begins now with Powers favoring his arm still. Powers attacks quickly, but Adams with the fujiwara arm bar yet again. We see Rico Suave telling us that “WILD FIRE” TOMMY RICH will be here next week! They are calling him, “Luscious” Tommy Rich. Back to action as Powers fights out of the arm bar again, sends Adams off the ropes and gets a press slam and drops him across the top rope. Fist drop by Powers now, then chokes out Adams. Running powerslam to Adams into the corner. Tree of woe on Adams, and then to the floor to choke him out. Off the ropes and a clothesline to Adams, covers and gets 2. Dragon sleeper by Powers now, takes Adams to the mat and then uses the ropes for help, the dirty bastard! He breaks the hold and then gets a knee drop and into a rear choke. Adams fights to his feet, but Powers take shim down with a sleeper now. Adams is trying to escape, but the time is running down and round 2 ends.

The first ever Round 3 starts now. Adams is down as Powers worked him over during the break. A DDT to Adams and this is still the break time apparently. Powers attacks now as round 3 now officially starts. Stuns him off the ropes again, then takes off the elbow pad and elbows Adams in the throat. Suplex by Powers, he goes up top…MISSES the top rope elbow drop! SUPERKICK by Adams and that’s all!

Winner: Chris Adams via pin @ 1:48 of Round 3.

Really good match here. Powers was leagues better than the other job guys so far, and worked really well with Adams. **½

In the back with Ken and he puts over the round system and had Chris Adams with him. Chris thanks him and says he knew that this was the place for him, real wrestling. He puts over a lot of the roster and his opponent. He says that this can work well, so watch out for him!

Now we are with the Warlord. He is signed for next week, and they don’t know who his partner is. His partner will be Nailz, the crazy bastard!

Episode #3

I have to say that 3 Episodes in and Mick Karch is driving me crazy. He makes Don West look like Gordon Solie.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – The Samoan Swat Team (Samu and Little Sam) (0-0) vs. Konnan 2000 and “Gentleman” Chris Adams (0-0)

Konnan 2000 is a replacement for an injured 2 Cold Scorpio, damn my luck.

I think that Konnan is “Conan Chris Walker,” either he is or he looks a lot like him. Adams and Samu to begin. Adams trips on a leap frog spot, but Samu LIGHTS HIM THE FUCK UP with a sick chop. Tag to Konnan and Sam. Konnan takes him down and that angers the Samoan. Lock up now, into a test of strength. Konnan has the tassels and looks like a really cheap Ultimate Warrior. Head butts to Konnan and he’s down. Tag to Samu and more head butts to Konnan. Terry Taylor does a DUSTYISM and says, “CLUBBERIN!” Nice. Adams gets a tag and they take down Samu as the round ends. We get an interview from Jeff Gaylord. Right.

Round 2 begins and I have really discovered that I hate the rounds for tag matches. Sam and Konnan lock it up, off the ropes and Konnan takes control with clotheslines. Sam is tied in the ropes, tag to Adams and he charges but Sam escapes and Adams crotched himself. Double clothesline by the SST and they are in control of Adams. Gut wrench suplex on Adams and then a leg drop by Samu gets 2. Tag to Sam and tag to Konnan. Rights to all by Konnan, he rams their heads together, idiot! The SST start to take over and Samu hits Sam by accident! He falls to the floor. SUPERKICK by Adams! Konnan up top…splash to Sam and that’s all!

Winners: Chris Adams and Konnan 2000 via pin @ 2:47 of Round 2.

Some good action, but the rounds really kill momentum in tag matches, I am not a fan of that.. **

Adams and Konnan are with “Chris E.” who is their generic chicky announcer. They meet Nailz and the Executioner next week. Adams puts over the SST. He runs down Nailz for taking out 2 Cold. Kill him Adams! Dear God, don’t let Konnan talk!

The episodes are out of order, because they just said that Orton is wanting an AWF Title shot. But we are in episode 3, and there IS NO CHAMPION yet. Damn them!

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – T. Rex (0-0) vs. “Cowboy” Bob Orton w/Sir Oliver Humperdink (1-0)

Lock up and some reversals ands go behinds. Orton takes him to the corner and delivers some rights to Rex. Knees by Orton then boots to the head of Rex. Rex kind of looks like Bob Holly. Forearms by Orton, then a front facelock. Rex fires back with rights, Irish whip and he rocks Orton. Another and an uppercut by Orton. Running dropkick by Orton. Pilerdriver time and Rex is finished.

Winner: Bob Orton via pin @ 2:37 of Round 1.

Squash match. ½*

Terry Taylor goes to interview Orton and Humperdink. Orton wants the title and says that he is the #1 contender.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – The Terrorist (0-0) vs. Sgt. Slaughter (1-0)

They go back and forth with rights for a bit until the Terrorist cheats and starts raking the eyes. He gets on offence for a minute or so, but the Sarge fires back with the Slaughter Cannon and Cobra Clutch for the win.

Winner: Sgt. Slaughter via submission @ 2:50

America Rules, Terrorism Drools. ½*

The ring fills with kids to celebrate with Slaughter.

Chris E. in the back with Koko and Atlas. They want the tag titles. They are both looking pretty bad here, Tony must have lost his prescription and Koko found the buffet.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Mr. Hughes and Hercules w/Sheik ADNAN ALKAHASSIE (0-0) vs. The Renegades (Jeff Gaylord and The Warlord) (0-0)

Jeff Gaylord looks like a low rent Mike Awesome. He and Hughes start the match, and shove off. They do this a lot, until Jeff gets a drop toehold and headlock. Rico Suave does a little interview, Greg Valentine and Tommy Rich will face the winners of this match. He makes fun of this match and says it is boring, I agree. Hughes levels Jeff, and Terry Taylor does a great Hogan impression! Dear God, he’s making this show. Jeff levels Hughes and tags Warlord. Warlord is big, just not WWF big here. Arm bars by Warlord, and time expires.

Round 2 starts as Warlord and Hughes battle to the corner. Hercules tags in and it’s the WWF MID CARD GONE WILD! They run and then collide mid-ring. Again and Warlord levels Hercules. Boots by Warlord, then a double sledge to the back of Hercules. Hercules back with rights, he grabs an arm bar and we get an interview with Nailz and Executioner, who is like 4 feet tall compared to Nailz. Hughes tags in and Warlord battles back. Hip toss to Hughes and a tag to Jeff. Eye poke by Hughes and a tag to Hercules. Rights by Hercules, Jeff battles back but he gets tossed to the floor. Taylor is doing Savage impressions now! He is my hero! Hercules drags Jeff back in and Jeff gets a bad looking spinkick and round 2 ends.

Round 3 stars because there is no mercy for me with Jeff and Hercules in the ring. Hercules and Hughes beat down Jeff in their corner. Tag to Hughes and they continue to beat him down with lots of kicks. Off the ropes and Hughes gets a dropkick for 2. Rights to Jeff take him down and he goes after the Sheik, but Hughes nails him. All 4 men brawl on the floor and the bell rings.

Winners: Double Count Out @ 2:00 of Round 3.

What horseshit. This just went on and on and on and we get no finish? GOOD DAY TO YOU I say! *

Chris E. is with Tito Santana. He is the champ, with an ugly belt. He says he is defending the title all around the world. He says when he is scheduled to, he will wrestle Bob Orton.

They run down brackets that haven’t taken place yet. Damn them!

Episode #4
If I have to hear that, “Chris Adams is from England and understands the rounds system better than anyone” I may die, or start a drinking game.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Bobby Bradley (0-2) vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams (1-0)

Bradley is the AWF jobber supreme so far, as this is his third appearance.

Bradley with a takedown, off the ropes and some reversals and Adams clotheslines Bradley to the floor. Adams teased a plancha, but stops. Bradley stuns him off the ropes. He goes up top, but Adams is over to toss him off. Adams goes up top now…Clothesline to Bradley. Off the ropes and a sleeper by Adams. He has Bradley down on the mat now… Bradley tries to battle to his feet and does. He climbs the ropes to escape, and Adams drops him. Piledriver by Adams and he goes up top…and misses a knee drop on Bradley. Bradley right after the knee of Adams now. Single leg crab now, then stomps the leg. He kicks the leg out from under Adams repeatedly and then into a stump puller, but Adams kicks his way out. Bradley back to the knee as the round ends.

Round 2 starts as Bradley gets a single leg takedown and takes Adams leg to the post and rams it around it. Back into the ring, and Adams manages an Enziguri that Taylor calls wrong. Rights to Bradley, off the ropes…backdrop to Bradley. Superkick to Bradley and that is it.

Winner: Chris Adams via pin @ 1:00 of Round 2.

A nice little back and forth affair. *¾

Ken is in the back with Chris Adams. Ken says all of the other wrestlers talk to Adams to learn the rounds deal, I don’t think it’s that difficult. Adams tells us what to do, which annoys me now. Go away.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Jimie V. (0-1) vs. Johnny Gun (1-0)

Jimie is so small. Lock up and some reversals, Gun escapes and struts away. Jimie is like 1 foot shorter than Gun. Lots of reversals and back and forth stuff. A fall away slam and elbow drop to Jimie. Gun just continues to murder him. House Quake and that is all.

Winner: Johnny Gun via pin @ 3:00 of Round 1.

Squash. ½*

Ken is with Hercules and the Sheik. Sheik wants to know is Hercules is in the tourney. Hercules is pissed and says to find out right now. Sheik says Hercules will win no matter what.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Ronnie Vegas (0-1) vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/Rico Suave (1-0)

Valentine attacks from behind and works over Vegas. Slam and an elbow to Vegas. We get a cut in interview from the Warlord. He wants in the tourney. Butterfly suplex by Valentine keeps him in control. Wristlock now, and Valentine tries to do a normal takedown and Vegas SPIKES HIMSELF head-first! Dayum that had to hurt! Terry Taylor can’t help but to laugh and cringe at the same time. Vegas tries to come back, but eats a belly to back suplex and arm bar by Valentine. Valentine goes for the figure four, but the round is over.

Valentine attacks the knee right away and then chops away at Vegas. Valentine on the 2nd rope and a big elbow drop. He chokes Vegas, then more chops. Valentine is just kicking the shit out of this guy and I am bored. Figure four thankfully finishes it.

Winner: Greg Valentine via Submission @ 1:32 of Round 2. ½*

Way too long for the squash that it was.

Ken is with Tommy Rich. He puts over Valentine and Rico Suave. He also says he can’t wait for the big drawing later on. Rico has some stroke and money talks. Rico is there now and he says that his men deserve to be in the tourney. Ken says the title match will be scheduled for 12-rounds. Says he loves long matches, and that was just a warm up that we saw.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Billy Joe Eaton (0-1) vs. “Cowboy” Bob Orton w/Sir Oliver Humperdink (2-0)

Lock up to begin, hip toss by Orton. Eaton gets some quick offence and Orton has to go to the floor. Back in, and he beats down Eaton. A running knee lift and piledriver later and that’s all she wrote.

Winner: Bob Orton via pin @ 2:00 of Round 1.

They are playing Orton as a huge contender for the title and he is looking dominant as a real wrestler. *

With Paul Alperstein and the AWF Title belt. They will announce the 16 men that will compete for the title. He contacted the top men, and they are in this spinner. Here are the matches:

Block A.

Hercules vs. Tito Santana

Hurricane Smith vs. Superfly

Luscious Tommy Rich vs. Tony Atlas

Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Ultimate Destroyer

Block B.

Koko B. Ware vs. Nailz

Johnny Gun vs. Cowboy Bob Orton

The Warlord vs. Gentleman Chris Adams

Jimmy Powers vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine

Sheik is here and he is pissed the Hughes is not in the tourney. He didn’t pay his fines apparently. Hughes can be an alternate if he pays his fine.

Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Mr. Hughes (1-0) vs. Hurricane Smith (1-0)

Hughes goes to work on Smith and he wants his tourney spot. SIDEWALK slam and Hughes wins.

Winner: Mr. Hughes via pin @ 0:40

After the match Hughes goes up top and gets a HUGE knee drop to the head of Smith! PUT HIM IN A BODY BAG! Sidewalk slam on the floor now.

Awesome, such simple booking. Take out Smith so you can get in, Mr. Hughes is cool. *

They stretcher Smith out.

Ken says that Smith is too injured, and Hughes will replace him in the tourney.

Episode #5

AWF Title Tournament Match: Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Superfly (0-0) vs. Mr. Hughes w/Sheik (2-0)

Superfly was one of the SST from earlier on the DVD.

Hughes attacks at the bell. He just beats him down and Hughes works the knee. Rights by Hughes and Superfly is down and hurt. Head butt by Hughes, another and it doesn’t work! Fly with head butts now and ch0ps. Big boot off the ropes by Hughes and then a big elbow drop finish it?

Winner: Mr. Hughes via pin @ 1:45 of Round 1

Meh, just there. Hughes looked like a monster. ½*

Ken is with Hughes and Sheik. Ken says it was impressive and also details the beating he put on Smith last week. Hughes says that he is the rough neck, the man. Nobody has survived the sidewalk slam and nobody will. He says it doesn’t matter who he faces, they will go down.

AWF Title Tournament Match: Scheduled for 3 Rounds – The Ultimate Destroyer (0-1) vs. SGT Slaughter (2-0)

How did a dude that has had one match and lost get into the tournament?

Sweet Jesus, lots of stalling in the first round. The same stuff over and over again. Destroyer got the advantage for a while but Sarge came back with two Slaughter Cannons and got the Cobra Clutch, unfortunately Round 1 ended.

Round 2 now begins as is still down after the rest period. The bell rings as Destroyer can’t answer the 10-count and Sarge wins.

Winner: SGT Slaughter via TKO @ 0:16 of Round 2.

I really didn’t see the point of that. I suppose that it put over how devastating the Clutch was. *

Little kids dance with SGT after the match. Who doesn’t love Sarge?

Ken is with Sarge. Sarge puts himself over. He could face Atlas or Rich, he puts them both over and says he will take on either he doesn’t care.

AWF Title Tournament Match: Scheduled for 3 Rounds – “Luscious” Tommy Rich w/Rico Suave(0-0) vs. Tony Atlas (1-0)

Apparently Rich is a technical marvel, and so is Atlas. Wow. Lots of power stuff from Atlas to begin with Rich playing chicken shit. Very slow action here with Atlas in control. Atlas works the arm with a good arm bar. Rich tries to get to his feet to escape, but no go. Finally he does escape and he elbows away at Atlas as time expiries for round 1.

Round 2 starts as we get another short interview with Chris Adams. He loves wrestling and he loves the round system. I got it THE FIRST 100 TIMES YOU SAID IT YOU ENGLISH TWIT! Rich attacks at the bell and tries to beat down Atlas. Atlas is rocked now but fires back with head butts. Atlas to the 2nd rope…um…a guess that was a flying head butt to a standing Rich. Atlas suplexes Rich back into the ring, but Suave tripped up Atlas and Rich falls on top and gets the pin.

Winner: Tommy Rich via pin @ 1:15 of Round 2.

Bad, just so bad. (N-R)

Ken is with Greg Valentine. Valentine is happy that Rich got the win, because it was a great day for the family. He will give young Jimmy Powers the wrestling lesson of his life. Rich has to face the Sarge next. He tells Sarge to bring out the little Sarge’s and they’ll see who is really best. Rico says Sarge is a draft dodger!

AWF Title Tournament Match: Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Nailz (0-1) vs. Koko B. Ware (1-0)

Nailz beats the hell out of Ware as we get a Warlord promo. Warlord is good on those short promos. Ware gets a cross body for 2. This pisses off Nailz who then tosses Koko over the top rope and gets dq’d.

Winner: Koko B. Ware via DQ @ 1:24 of round 1.

Nailz goes to the floor and abuses Koko, he chokes him with wire and then tosses Koko back in the ring. Atlas is out and makes the save. They stare down and Nailz backs off.

Um, yeah. Nailz is a bad ass, I think I get that. (N-R)

Ken is back and he is with Tito! Tito has to face Hercules to kick things off. Tito says he knows him very well, because he knows Hercules but is worried about the Sheik. Sheik is here and Hercules attacks Tito! The dirty bastard!

AWF Title Tournament Match: Scheduled for 3 Rounds – Tito Santana (1-0) vs. Hercules w/Sheik (1-0)

Tito walks to the ring hurting, but he’s a trooper! Lock up and Hercules tosses Tito away. Lock up again and Hercules is just to strong and tosses Tito away to the corner. Headlock by Hercules, Tito works to escape…he does and gets a cross body off the ropes. Slam by Tito and another. Hercules begs off and rolls to the floor. Back in and a boot by Hercules, and then rights to Tito. Small package by Tito gets 1. Hercules pulls him by the tights and Tito hits hard in the corner. Off the ropes, and Criticisms just levels Tito. Powerbomb by Criticisms, but the time expires for round 1.

Round 2 begins as Tito is still down from the powerbomb. Hercules stalks him and clubs away at the already beaten down Tito. Tito tries to battle back with rights, but hard knees by Hercules slow him down. Big slam by Hercules, then a cover gets 2. Slam try, reversal and off the ropes…FLYING BURRITO by Tito! 1…2..NO. Damn the Sheik for putting Hercules foot on the ropes. Tito saw it and grabs Sheik! He misses him and Sheik holds Tito, Hercules nails Sheik by accident! Another flying burrito by Tito and that is all!

Winner: Tito Santana via pin @ 3:29 of Round 2.

Strong match. Nothing special, but smartly worked and nothing bad in it. I liked it. **½

Tito will go onto face Mr. Hughes.

Let’s see how the tournament is going.

Block A.

Hercules vs. Tito Santana

Mr. Hughes vs. Superfly

Luscious Tommy Rich vs. Tony Atlas

Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Ultimate Destroyer

Block B.

Koko B. Ware vs. Nailz

Johnny Gun vs. Cowboy Bob Orton

The Warlord vs. Gentleman Chris Adams

Jimmy Powers vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine

The 411: Wow there is a lot to take in at the beginning here. There are 13 matches alone for the first 2 episodes. It is crash booking, they tried to get over the guys that they had, as well as the fact that this was all wrestling. They really emphasized that fact through out, as well as the round system. They rely on that and then slowly get some stories going later on. The matches, for the most part are either too short or jus nothing special. Also, there is one episode, #3 which is not episode #3 as it already shows you the AWF champion and they are in the tag team tournament already. By the time I got done here with all of this, I couldn’t remember what I saw when I began many hours ago. This is a really fun nostalgia trip so far, so I am pleased with that. The footage is clean, with a real studio feel along with fake crowd noise. As I said, there is nothing really memorable, but good fun as far as some nostalgia and names that we haven’t seen for a while.

Final Score:  4.0   [ Poor ]