Post by Chief on May 27, 2012 23:12:30 GMT -5
Universal Wrestling Federation
“Power Pro Wrestling TV”[/b]
Sunday, May 27th, 1992
Taped at the Irish McNeil Boy's Club in Shreveport, Louisiana
Jim Ross and UWF President Bill Watts welcome everyone to the first episode of “Power Pro Wrestling.” Watts says that there is no place he'd rather have this show then the Irish McNeil Boy's Club, the place where a lot of Mid-South history has taken place. Jim Ross runs down the great show they have lined up for today:
Spectacular NWA Jr. Heavyweight Champion Jushin Liger will defend his title against Brad Armstrong
The Fabulous Freebirds make their return to the area in tag team action
Brian Lee makes his “Prime Time” debut against the veteran Dutch Mantell
The Main Event of the evening sees Big Van Vader step into an American ring for the first time in five years to face off with UWF fan favorite Paul Orndorff
Ross expects the main event to be nothing less then a fight and Bill Watts couldn't be more excited about it. Hailing from the Rocky Mountains,Watts talks about how Big Van Vader has dominated ALL of the competition in Europe, Mexico, and Japan and now has resurfaced in the US to claim the richest prize in ALL of the professional wrestling – the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title.
Paul Orndorff joins Bill Watts to talk about how fired up he is for that match. Vader has made the huge mistake of already looking past Paul and Paul takes that as a huge insult. Watts asks Paul what he thinks his keys to victory are tonight. Number one Paul says is that he isn't going to give Vader time to get on a roll and he isn't going to give him an inch of breathing room. Number two is that he has watched hours of tape scouting the most dangerous move in Vader's arsenal – the Vader Bomb. A slow motion clip is shown of Big Van Vader destroying a poor soul with his quick release power bomb. Paul calls the Vader Bomb the second most dangerous move in pro wrestling. His number three key to victory and Paul loves this one the most – is to hit Vader with the MOST dangerous move in pro wrestling – HIS pile driver.
Commercial Break – Local advertisements air for this Wednesday at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport where Jim Duggan promises to find out how much of a tough guy Big Van Vader really is.
Jim Ross hypes up the first big UWF card in three weeks at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. The first matches will be announced right here next week on “Power Pro Wrestling!”
10 Minute Time Limit – NWA Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Jushin Liger © vs. Brad Armstrong – Besides a few tape traders, the crowd aren't sure what to make of Liger. Neither is Brad Armstrong who is taken completely off balance by Liger's unorthodox high flying offense.
Bill Watts puts over how tough the new crop junior heavyweights are by talking about how they use their own body in such innovative and aerial ways to hurt their opponent. Brad holds his own till a drop kick sends him outside. Liger proves Watt's point by wiping Brad and himself out with a suicide dive that really gets the crowd going.
Commercial Break – Local advertisements air for this Wednesday at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport where “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel says he's going to beat “Dr. Death” Steve Williams and look great doing so.
An instant replay shows the dangerous suicide dive that put both men on the floor for the duration of the commercial break. Liger springboards back into the ring, catching Brad with a hurricanrana – and he hooks the legs! One, two, NO! Brad rolls forward catching Liger in a pinning predicament – one, BIG kick out by Liger!
Both men get to their feet and continue to go hold for hold. Brad maneuvers Liger into position for the Russian Leg Sweep but Liger spins out of it...and he DRILLS Brad with a rolling wheel kick! The heel of Liger's boot nailed Brad right in the forehead! One, two, three! NO – Brad somehow manages to kick out at two and three-quarters!
Through the mask you can see that Jushin has no idea what he's going to have to do to put Brad away! Both men climb to their feet when the bell rings! At 10:00, Joel Watts announces that the match has reached the time limit and is a draw! Jushin Liger retains his title!
Both men look disappointed but shake hands to the approval of the crowd. Brad hands him the NWA Jr. Heavyweight title and holds his hand up high. The crowd has gotten their first taste of Jushin Liger and it sounds like they want more!
Bob Armstrong joins Brad and Bill Watts for a post-match interview. Brad is sweating and looks a little tired but he praises Jushin Liger for the hell of a match they just had. Bob gets on the mic and asks the crowd if they want to see Brad get another shot at Liger – the crowd goes wild! Bob says that he's come to the UWF so he and Brad can be a tag team but he tells Watts to make the rematch between Liger and his boy happen! Watts says he'll have to talk to the NWA Board because Jushin Liger has a very schedule defending his title around the country but if that performance was any indication – there needs to be a rematch!
Commercial Break – In three weeks the UWF comes to the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana for their first BIG show! Tickets are on sale now!
10 Minute Time Limit: The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy) vs. The Masked Assassins – Bill Watts explains that the Masked Assassins are local athletes trying to break into the business but strict regulations of their respective sports forbid them from competing in pro wrestling. They wear the masks to conceal their identities while still being to gain experience.
Michael Hayes struts out from under the curtain with the ever menacing Terry Gordy following behind him. Hayes grabs a sign from a fan that reads “Shreveport Is Freebird Country” and lifts it up high.
Hayes gets the crowd into the match while Terry Gordy does all the heavy lifting. Gordy tags in Hayes who catches one of the Assassins with a DDT for the win at 4:34.
The Freebirds join Bill Watts and boy is Michael Hayes happy to be here tonight. Hayes says this return has been a long time coming. The last time the 'Birds were in Mid-South, they were here to cause havoc, make a name for themselves, and be rock stars. They didn't care about the fans or anything else but themselves. Since then they've matured and now they are back to entertain, have fun, continuing being rock stars, and most importantly to AGAIN become the NWA World Tag Team Champions...
Over exaggerated laughter interrupts Hayes and everyone looks over to see a beaming Jim Cornette come out from under the curtain. Tennis racket in hand and at a safe distance away, Cornette says Hayes' big speech was real rich. He asks what Hayes would be without Terry Gordy – what would Hayes do if he couldn't hide behind big Terry Gordy. Everyone just saw Gordy do all the work and Hayes come in just to get all the glory. Cornette stares Hayes right in the eye, says that Michael Hayes makes him sick and calls him a coward. For a second it ALMOST looks like Jim's words get to Hayes.
Jim says he's come out here because in three weeks at the New Orleans Arena, Jim is debuting a BRAND NEW team. Unlike the Freebirds, there is NO weak link in this team. This team is BETTER then the Armstrongs, BETTER then the Midnight Express, BETTER then the Rock N Roll Express, an MOST CERTAINLY BETTER then the Fabulous Freebirds. Bill Watts asks Jim if this is his BIG announcement but Jim just smirks and tells Watts that he'll know soon enough.
Commercial Break – Next week on “Power Pro Wrestling,” “Dr. Death” Steve Williams will be in action!
Bill Watts is standing by at ringside with Brian Lee. Lee says that when he looks around the UWF locker room and he sees all the big names and the tough guys, he can tell that he's the underdog 'round here. He's heard that Dutch Mantell doesn't feel that he is on Dutch's level and Dutch feels that he hasn't made his dues yet. Lee is ready to prove Dutch wrong tonight and hopes that Dutch Mantell is ready for “Prime Time.”
15 Minute Time Limit – Brian Lee vs. Dutch Mantell – Dutch doesn't respect Lee's abilities enough and takes this match lightly. Brian proves to be a tough customer and gives Dutch a lot of trouble. Mantell whips him into the corner and rushes in looking for an elbow smash BUT BRIAN LEE MOVES!
Dutch Mantell hits the turnbuckles full force and Lee rolls him up from behind – ONE, TWO THREE! “PRIME TIME” BRIAN LEE has proved he belongs as he's beaten Dutch Mantell here today at 9:15! Dutch Mantell CAN NOT believe it. He angrily grabs his bullwhip 'Betsy' and goes after Lee but Lee POPS him in the jaw! Dutch goes down hard and Brian Lee leaves to celebrate his first victory!
Commercial Break - In three weeks the UWF comes to the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana for their first BIG show! Tickets are on sale now!
20 Minute Time Limit – Television Main Event: Big Van Vader vs. Paul Orndorff – Paul Orndorff comes out first to a huge welcoming reaction from the Mid-South faithful. He has a very intense look on his face and Jim Ross knows Paul is ready for a war.
The massive 6'5”, 450 pound Big Van Vader is out next and he midway down the aisle. He leans back and lets out a massive roar that causes a few children seated at ringside to run away. Vader turns back towards the curtain and out comes...JIM CORNETTE! Bill Watts nearly jumps out of his seat when he puts two and two together – JIM CORNETTE IS THE MANAGER OF BIG VAN VADER!
Cornette and Vader climb into the ring where Cornette grabs a mic. He says that over the last couple of days he's sure that everyone has heard the tales of death and of destruction about Big Van Vader and they are all true. Cornette says that the ignorant redneck UWF fans might not appreciate this but Vader traveled to Europe and squashed Otto Wanz to become the champion of Europe, he went to Japan and destroyed legend Shinya Hashimoto to become the champion of Japan, and then he went to Mexico and massacred legend El Canek to become the champion of Mexico. Vader left the United States five years to prove how tough he was. Now he's returned as a king, as an emperor and he wants Ricky Steamboat and the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
Jim Cornette calls Big Van Vader 450 pounds of pure raw bull power and says that NO MAN has ever lifted him off his feet and NO MAN has ever pinned him or submitted him. Bill Watts says he can't account for the validity of those statements made by Cornette but he he wouldn't be surprised if they were true. Cornette looks over at Paul and simply states that if Vader wants to Vader Bomb, he's going to Vader Bomb you...and there's nothing you can do about it.
Nick Patrick rings the bell and the two men go nose to nose in the center of the ring. Vader invites Paul to throw the first punch and Paul obliges, DRILLING him right in the mouth. The hit doesn't phase Vader who just laughs before NAILING Paul with a massive stiff forearm. Paul goes staggering backwards but does not falter.
What follows does not resemble a wrestling match. They go back and forth with killing strikes but Paul only moves Vader back one foot while each shot from Vader staggers Paul. Ross remarks that you can tell there is some inner turmoil and hatred between these two men. After a flurry of fists, Paul boots Vader in the gut and goes for a body slam – BUT BIG VAN VADER DOES NOT BUDGE! Paul tries and tries but no avail! Vader laughs and delivers a crushing double ax handle to the ribs of Paul Orndorff. Ross apologizes but they have to take a break!
Commercial Break - Local advertisements air for this Wednesday at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport where the Junkyard Dog is ready to have some fun!
Back from the LAST commercial break of the broadcast and Paul Orndorff has recovered. Watts says you can see the story of the match on the faces of both men. Lots of bruises and swelling. Paul is trying ANYTHING he can to subdue the big man. He works Vader into the corner but only gets a couple shoulders off before Vader reserves and forces him into the corner. Big Van Vader goes charging for an avalanche splash BUT NO ONE IS HOME!
Paul comes off the middle rope with a diving shoulder block that rocks the big man! This time he climbs to the top and tries again – NO WAY! VADER CATCHES HIM ON THE WAY DOWN WITH A SPINNING SIDE SLAM! Vader slaps Paul around before yanking him to his feet – wait, Paul breaks the grasp of Vader and is firing back with punches! Paul is not quitting and the crowd is on his side!
Orndorff boots Vader in the gut but it doesn't phase him...so Orndorff does it again! Again! Again and again! Finally Vader leans forward somewhat and Paul is setting him up for the pile driver! Jim Cornette is going absolutely nuts on the outside – he's almost pulling his hair out! NO – PAUL CAN'T DO IT AND HE'S DROPPED WITH A HUUUGE BACK BODY DROP!
But he rolls back to his feet and charges Vader again BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A CLOTHESLINE! Paul's head was almost taken clean off! Vader pulls Paul up to his feet – short-arm clothesline! The huge arm of Vader just snaps back the head of Paul Orndorff. Big splash! The crowd is in shock at the damage being done to their hero. Still Vader has not gone for a pin fall. Vader does the “throat slashing” motion and again pulls Paul up to his feet. He whips Paul onto his shoulders – VADER BOMB! What a devastating move! Paul is not moving!
Vader looks to be going in for a pin but Cornette is screaming at him to do it again. You hear Bill Watt's head set drop as Vader picks Paul up – A SECOND VADER BOMB! Watts is running down to ringside screaming for medical help because he knows Paul is hurt. Vader puts his foot on the chest of Orndorff – ONE, TWO, THREE!
Big Van Vader has made a statement here today CRUSHING Paul Orndorff at 11:55!
“WHOSE LAUGHING NOW WATTS, WHO?” yells Jim Cornette as Bill Watts and the medical staff roll a stretcher down to the ringside area. Bill Watts looks very concerned and Jim Ross has gone silent on commentary. The crowd looks sullen as well. Big Van Vader is just standing in the middle of the ring beating his chest. Jim Cornette grabs a mic and asks if everyone saw what Big Van Vader just did to Paul Orndorff. At this point, Steve Williams in street clothes and Terry Gordy come out to check on their fallen friend.
Vader snatches the mic from the tiny hands of Cornette: “I'M GOING TO CRIPPLE SOMEONE EVERYDAY UNTIL I GET MY HANDS ON RICKY STEAMBOAT!”
Vader's words get the attention of an already pissed off “Dr. Death.” He charges into the ring and Terry Gordy follows him, trying to calm him down. “YOU WANNA CRIPPLE SOMEONE VADER? WHY DON'T YOU TRY CRIPPLING ME?”
Hiding behind Vader, Jim Cornette quips that Steve Williams should go play in traffic because that is much safer then being in the ring with Vader. He also asks Terry Gordy where his boyfriend Michael Hayes is. Steve Williams un-tucks his dress shirt and rolls up his sleeves – HE'S GETTING READY FOR A FIGHT!
Big Van Vader laughs and responds: “I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU, LITTLE MAN. THIS IS MY RING! AND IF YOU DON'T GET OUT I'LL PUT BOTH OF YOU IN WHEELCHAIRS NEXT TO PRETTY PAUL!”
Vader's words not only set off “Dr. Death” but Terry Gordy also. Jim Ross is screaming that ALL HELL IS BREAKING LOOSE and the show comes to an end with Steve Williams and Terry Gordy BOTH slugging it out with Big Van Vader.
© UWF, 1992
You could put tights on a pair of chimpanzees and Cornette could get them over!
Me personally, I’m somewhat torn on the match. On one hand, it was a truly hellacious one sided beating that was not only a blast to read but also immediately cemented Vader as the Top Dog in UWF! You went into this match with a plan, and it worked flawlessly. On the other hand, a part of me thinks that it may have been a waste of Orndorff’s talents to make him the Apollo Creed to Vader’s Ivan Drago. Mr. Wonderful clearly isn’t in Vader’s league at this point (although Ordorff would kick his butt in real life a few years later), but Paul is still a credible upper mid carder/tag team competitor who has more to offer your company than simply being Vader’s punching bag. The one thing that I can’t deny is that the post match antics beautifully set up a Vader/Dr. Death showdown down the road, and that dream match will be a license to print money!