-Broadcasting live to our local affiliates in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, as well as in Syndication across these great United States, the American Wrestling Association proudly presents World Class Wrestling, coming to you this week from the Irish McNeil Boys Club in Shreveport, Louisiana!-
Jim Ross: Hello everyone and welcome back to AWA World Class Wrestling! I'm Jim Ross, and I'll be joined momentarily by "Cowboy" Bill Watts and we are back in the thick of things tonight after a well earned vacation following Star Wars. So let's head down to ringside where The Cowboy is waiting with a special announcement!
We cut to Bill Watts standing at ringside holding a microphone.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Thank You for joining us here tonight and Thank You for helping us make Memorial Day Star Wars a huge success. It was such a success in fact that I am here tonight to announce that we are gonna do it again! On the Fourth of July, at the St. Louis Arena in St Louis, Missouri we are going to present Independence Day Star Wars! Just like before it will feature all of the biggest names from AWA World Class Wrestling, the AWA Champions will be coming in, and tonight I am here to announce that we will crown a new champion for AWA World Class that night.
Each week we run shows in six great states right here in the central part of these United States, and we've decided to make a new title to represent the people that come out to support us each and every week, and to represent those states that are the lifeblood of AWA World Class. Beginning tonight, and for the next four weeks we will have qualifying matches until we have eight men set to compete. Then at Independence Day Star Wars, we will have a one night tournament and the winner will become the first AWA World Class Central States Champion.
Again, we want to thank everyone for their support, we look forward to seeing you at the arena's and that's enough talking, let's get to some action!"
The crowd cheers for The Cowboy as Watts hands the microphone to Marc Lowrance and heads for the announce position.
Jim Ross: Big news from the Cowboy tonight. Another Star Wars, and a new belt coming to World Class, the Central States Title. Now, like he said, let's head to the ring for some action!
1 Fall, 10 Minute Time Limit
-Jose Lothario vs Tiger Conway Jr-
Since turning on his partner several weeks back, Tiger Conway has become a different person. His afro is picked out as big as he can make it. He has begun growing a Fu Manchu mustache, and his usual blue trunks have been replaced with camouflage pants. A black glove and sunglasses (which he thankfully removes when the bell rings) round out his new look. When the bell rings he is much more aggressive, attacking Lothario immediately and relentlessly. Eventually Lothario started to mount a comeback, but Conway managed to get the ref out of position and kicked Jose hard in the groin. A simple roll up, with a hook of the tights brought an end to this one.
Winner: Tiger Conway Jr.
As Conway was celebrating his victory, Lothario was trying to tell Referee Alfred Neely what happened with the low blow. As Lothario was doing so, two large African American men dressed in military fatigues hit the ring and clobbered Lothario from behind. The slightly smaller one scooped Jose up and drilled him into the mat with a huge powerslam. The bigger one then bounced off the ropes and dropped onto Lothario with a huge diving headbutt, then when he rolled out of the way, the other nailed Jose with a big splash. As the two massive men came together in the center of the ring, Conway walked into the center of them and they all touched fists before walking out together to massive boo's.
-Commercial Break-
Jim Ross: Welcome back folks, before the break we saw Jose Lothario get cheated out of a victory by Tiger Conway and then get destroyed by two men dressed in camouflage. We have no idea who they were, but Conway certainly seemed friendly enough with them.
Bill Watts: The change in attitude from Conway over the last few weeks has been something to see. I'll admit that I've seen those two men before, but they didn't look or act like that when I knew them.
Jim Ross: Up next we have the first qualifying match for the Central States Title Tournament. We'll see Chick Donovan take on a newcomer to World Class, the masked Grappler.
Bill Watts: Donovan came close to being the first Television Champion, and now has his sights set on this belt. But The Grappler is a crafty veteran, and he is a dangerous addition to the locker room here in World Class.
1 Fall, 30 Minute Time Limit
-Chick Donovan vs The Grappler-
Donovan came out fast and tried to dazzle The Grappler with some quick arm drags and a big dropkick right off the bat. Donovan whipped Grappler into the ropes and went for another dropkick, but The Grappler held onto the ropes and Donovan crashed hard to the mat. After that The Grappler went to work, keeping Donovan on the mat with a series of wear down holds and driving him into the mat with slams and suplexes that had Donovan clutching his neck and back. Finally, Grappler drilled Chick with a huge Lariat and cradled him for the three count and the victory.
Winner: The Grappler
Marc Lowrance is waiting for The Grappler as he exits the ring.
Marc Lowrance: Grappler, welcome to AWA World Class wrestling, and congratulations on your victory which now qualifies you to compete in the tournament for the Central States Title at the upcoming Star Wars.
The Grappler: One down, seven men to go Marc Lowrance. I've wrestled one match in this company and I am closer to gold than most people get in their lives. There is a reason for that Marc Lowrance. They got a name for you when you're the world's greatest wrestler. They don't call you a great wrestler, they call you The Grappler. Beat Me, if you can.
The Grappler walks away as Marc Lowrance shrugs his shoulders and we cut back to the announce position.
Jim Ross: A man of few words, but an impressive win from The Grappler tonight Bill.
Bill Watts: For sure Jim. Let's take a quick break, and when we come back the new AWA World Class Tag Team Champions, The Blackjacks are going to join Marc Lowrance for an interview.
-Commercial Break-
When we come back from break, Marc Lowrance is standing at ringside with Blackjack Mulligan and Blackjack Lanza. Both men are in black trunks, black vests, black cowboy hats, and have the World Class Tag Titles strapped around their waists.
Marc Lowrance: Ladies and Gentleman, joining me now are the new AWA World Class Tag Team Champions, The Blackjacks! Gentleman, how does it feel!
Blackjack Lanza: I have to tell you, it feels great. It'd been a while since we rode together, and a lot of people wrote me off as being finished, as being over the hill. But I'm here to tell you that even if this is our last ride, we plan on making it one hell of a ride!
Blackjack Mulligan: I'd been out knocking heads in California for a while and I knew my partner here was teaching a couple kids some things down this way, but when the time came and he needed some back up against those so called cowboys Bart and Bass, he knew I was only a call away. Now, we....who's this....
On the other side of Marc Lowrance, stands a man wearing a bright red suit jacket with black trousers, a black shirt, and a pink striped tie. He is holding a tennis racket and has a look of sheer boredom on his face as the Blackjacks talk.
Marc Lowrance: Can I help you?
"Well I was just wondering if these two were gonna ramble on like a couple of Alzheimer patients all day, or if they were actually going to defend those tag team titles any time soon?"
Marc Lowrance: Who are you?
"Who am I? Well good lord Marc Lowrance, you really are just a microphone stand aren't you. Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Jim Cornette and I am the manager of the best tag team in wrestling today, The Midnight Express. I was sitting in the back listening to these two ramble on about the glory days of Gunsmoke and The Rifleman, and figured I'd come on out here and introduce myself so they'd know the man who was managing the men who would be taking those shiny gold belts away from them, as soon as they decided that the osteoporosis had let up enough to allow them to step into the ring again!"
Blackjack Mulligan grabs Cornette by the jacket and Cornette immediately starts begging.
Blackjack Mulligan: I don't care who you are you little pipsqueak! You talk to us like that again, and I'll break you in half!
Blackjack Lanza: You think your Midnighters or whatever they're called are so good. We'll fight them right here, right now for these belts. The Blackjacks ain't afraid of nobody!
Mulligan lets Cornette go, and shoots a backwards glance at Lanza before turning his attention back to a retreating Cornette. The camera catches Cornette's face turn from a look of concern to a "I got what I came for" smile before he disappears backstage.
Blackjack Mulligan: You heard the man pipsqueak, bring 'em out, and we'll put 'em down.
The Blackjacks head into the ring to the cheers of the crowd.
-Commercial Break-
Jim Ross: Ladies and Gentleman, welcome back to AWA World Class. We've gotten word during the commercial break, that this is going to happen! The Blackjacks are going to defend the World Class Tag Team Titles against this Jim Cornette's Midnight Express and it's happening RIGHT NOW!
Bill Watts: This little runt Cornette has been slinking around our business for several years now, and there have been several teams called the Midnight Express, so I don't know exactly who is about to come out here. But when it comes to fighting an unknown commodity, there have never been two tougher men than The Blackjacks, so they likely aren't the least bit worried.
Jim Cornette comes back out from the dressing room with a microphone
Jim Cornette: Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome the next AWA World Class Tag Team Champions, Loverboy Dennis and Beautiful Bobby...THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS!!
1 Fall, 30 Minute Time Limit
-The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan/Blackjack Lanza) vs The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton/Dennis Condrey) w/Jim Cornette- AWA World Class Tag Team Titles
Condrey and Eaton hit the ring in matching silver jackets, with red tights/trunks. Cornette meanwhile is a whirlwind of trash talk and motion at ringside. Mulligan starts the match and gets the best of both members of the Express, but they are quick to tag and not let themselves get worked over too much. Eventually Mulligan is getting the best of Bobby and tags in Lanza, who maintains control for a few minutes, until Condrey enters the ring and clips the leg. Eaton tags and Dennis goes to work on the fallen Lanza.
The Midnights keep Lanza in their corner and relentlessly work him over with high impact moves and frequent tags and score several two counts. Mulligan finally has enough and charges into the ring and a brawl breaks out among all four men. As referee Alfred Neely is trying to separate Dennis Condrey from Mulligan and push Mulligan out of the ring, Jim Cornette climbs onto the apron and blasts Blackjack Lanza in the back with the tennis racket. Lanza collapses and Eaton is quick to cover him. Neely turns around and quickly drops down to count the cover, as Condrey charges back across the ring and stops Mulligan from breaking up the pin.
Winners, and NEW AWA World Class Tag Team Champions: The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton/Dennis Condrey)
Jim Ross: Of all the low down...
As Mulligan stands over a recovering a Lanza in the ring, Bobby and Dennis are leaving with the belts and Cornette has stopped by the announce position.
Jim Cornette: Looks like Hoss and Little Joe didn't get all the cattle to the auction or something. I don't know, Mother never allowed me to watch that low brow entertainment! The rodeo is closed! The last ride is over! You have new Tag Team Champions Bill Watts, and they are the best tag team in the whole world! You're Welcome!!
Cornette reaches out and flicks the cowboy hat of Bill Watts then laughs and joins Condrey and Eaton as they head to the back.
Bill Watts: That little son of a bi...
Jim Ross: BILL!
Bill Watts: Let's go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
As the show comes back from commercial break, "Dr. D" David Schultz is standing next to Marc Lowrance at ringside.
Marc Lowrance: David Schultz, we don't have you scheduled to be out here, we are supposed to be starting our main event.
David Schultz: I don't care what you have scheduled, I don't care about your main event. What I care about is the fact that I've beaten everybody that's been put in front of me. I've beaten everybody I've stepped in this ring with. Ya understand that? The only loss on my record since I come into World Class wrestling is supposedly to The Junkyard Dog, and everybody whose been paying any kind of attention knows that one was crooked. I should already be the champion. I should have won the tournament. But Dr. D isn't one to come out here and cry and whine about it, so I asked for my rematch. Did I get it. Hell No, I didn't. John Studd got it, and he didn't get the job done neither. So now I am coming out here in front of the world and I am calling out The Junkyard Dog!
Marc Lowrance: The Junkyard Dog isn't here tonight.
David Schultz: Well ain't that convenient.
Marc Lowrance: He was given the night off to visit his family.
David Schultz: Is that his Daddy in jail, or his Granny in the fields?
The Louisiana crowd does not like that one as the boo's come hot and heavy.
Marc Lowrance: I don't think that's appropriate.
David Schultz: Oh, now you wanna talk about what's not appropriate, huh? What's not appropriate is the so called champion of World Class sitting home acting like a coward! What's not appropriate is Junkyard Dog ducking Dr. D! So listen up BOY, and I'll speak real slow so that you can understand me.....I..want..to..fight..you..for..that..title! That's a challenge BOY. Now you just gotta prove to all your people that you got the guts to accept it.
Schultz shoves the microphone into the chest of Marc Lowrance and heads for the back to a heavy round of boo's
Jim Ross: First we have The Midnight Express cheating to win the Tag Team Titles on their first night in the company. Then we have this Jim Cornette getting you all riled up Cowboy, and now we have David Schultz pushing the lines of decency.
Bill Watts: Firstly, let me apologize for my slip of the tongue a little earlier. That little weasel Jim Cornette is the kind of guy you just want to punch, and unfortunately as long as I am sitting at this table, I am prohibited from punching anyone. Secondly, everyone at AWA World Class would like to apologize for the remarks just made by David Schultz. But I am sure once Junkyard Dog returns from his vacation, he will make Schultz pay for everything he just said and then some.
Jim Ross: Alright Cowboy, this night has already been wild, so let's head down to the ring for our main event. Another qualifying match for entry into the Central States Title Tournament.
1 Fall, 30 Minute Time Limit
-Ron Bass vs Kevin Von Erich-
Bass attacked Kevin before the bell and controlled the opening minutes of the match. Bass used his size advantage and a series of wear down holds to keep Kevin on the mat and managed a two count off of a powerslam. Bass attempted his Gourdbuster finisher, but Kevin was able to reverse the momentum and rolled Bass into a small package, that got a count of two. It was the shift in the match that Kevin needed to assume control and he began to work Bass over with punches and kicks, and then rocked him with a huge monkey flip out of the corner. A big dropkick caught Bass flush, and Kevin would go on to control the remainder of the match. He finally caught Bass with a turning flying crossbody from the top and David Manning counted the 1,2,3.
Winner: Kevin Von Erich
Jim Ross: Kevin Von Erich joins The Grappler as the first two men to advance to the Central States Title Tournament.
Bill Watts: Two matches down, and six more will occur in the coming weeks as we set the field.
Jim Ross: We also saw new Tag Team Champions crowned tonight as The Midnight Express of Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey along with their manager Jim Cornette have taken the tag team division by storm.
Bill Watts: I am sure The Blackjacks will have something to say about that.
Jim Ross: That's it for tonight folks. We'll see you next week!