International Wrestling, October 14th, 1983 (Taped October 12th, 1983, Colisée de Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, QC) 3,500 fans, sellout
Opening Match
0 - 6:00
The opening montage cuts to Jacques, Sr. at the announce table. He begins talking about the increased need for security, both for the fans and several IWA personalities, as the camera sweeps over the entrance area revealing three times the normal police presence as well as the normal security staff. There are security personnel at the corners of the guard rail around ringside as well as the camera cuts to the Gerrard Brothers in the ring awaiting their opponents. The Can Am express come out to a good amount of cheers, looking very focused.
The Can Am Express vs. the Gerrard Brothers
The Can Ams are more aggressive than ever, running Bobby Gerrard over from bell to bell to the point where he is unable to tag. Brunzell hits a dropkick and covers for the three.
Jim Brunzell over Bobby Gerrard with a dropkick 4:32
The camera cuts to Jacques, Sr., who is very impressed with the way Brunzell and Lafon have bounced back from their loss on October 1st.
Commercial Break
6:00 - 16:00
Jacques, Sr. is in the ring with none other than Dino Bravo when we return from commercial. The fans are going nuts for the longtime Quebec hero and Canadian strongman, who seems happy to be back.
Jacques, Sr.: It’s good to see you back, Dino. I can see and hear that these great fans in Trois-Rivieres agree.
The crowd pops big.
Bravo: I’m glad to see you and each and every one of them, Jacques, Sr. But I’ve heard the news about your boys and that’s why I’m here.
Jacques, Sr.: Yes, Eddie Creatchman has found himself quite the crew this time.
Bravo: I’ve heard of the Midnight Express, but I’m not that impressed. I’ve already talked to Gino Brito and Tony Parisi. (The crowd pops.) They have agreed to team up with me to take on Creatchman’s boys. Tonight we’re going to start cleaning this place up!
Jacques, Sr.: There you have it, fans! Dino Bravo has returned to the IWA to take on the Midnight Express! I would like to welcome several more guests now, my son Armand Rougeau and his tag team partner Rene Goulet!
Armand and Goulet emerge from the curtain to cheers and play to the crowd on their way to the ring. Both shake hands with Bravo before walking over to Jacques, Sr.
Jacques, Sr.: Armand, I can only hope that you know what you are doing tonight, facing the man who tried to injure your neck on October 1st in the ring again.
Armand: My neck is at 95% the doctors tell me. That’s enough for me, even if Creatchman has his new attack dogs trained on it.
Jacques, Sr.: Eddie Creatchman is not a man to be underestimated. I’d much rather see you in a match with Dino Bravo and Gino Brito to watch your back.
Armand: I want to pay the Midnight Express back as much as anyone. They put me out for a few weeks just to get a title shot. Hurricane Kamiguchi tried to take that same injury and end my career with it! I don’t care if Creatchman ordered it, the man tried to hurt me and hurt me badly. I won’t let that stand.
Jacques, Sr.: I can’t disagree with you on that, Armand. I just want to know that you won’t be the victim of any of Eddie Creatchman’s “strategy”.
Armand: I have Rene Goulet watching my back. You won’t have to worry.
Goulet: You have nothing to worry about, Jacques. Your son is more than capable of dealing with either Kamiguchi or Ishimoto. And I won’t be far off.
Jacques, Sr. nods in Goulet’s direction thankfully as the Goulet and Bravo start heading for the back. Jacques, Sr. returns to the announce table and recaps the Midnight Express’ attack on Armand, followed by the use of Kamiguchi’s blockbuster finisher on Armand’s injured neck. Hurricane Kamiguchi makes his way to the ring with Eddie Creatchman in tow, no Haruki, as the fans throw garbage at them and boo. Jacques, Sr. echoes his son’s sentiment that Kamiguchi should know better than to attack a man’s injured neck with a move like that.
Armand Rougeau vs. Hurricane Kamiguchi
Armand is on Kamiguchi the instant the Japanese wrestler hits the ring. Kamiguchi responds to Armand’s right hands with chops, but ends up on the losing end. A few elbow shots slow Armand down, but the young Rougeau’s rage is not spent. He comes in with more right hands, putting the masked Japanese man on the mat. Rougeau climbs up to the top and hits a flying fist drop, continuing to pound away on Kamiguchi. Creatchman jumps up on the ring apron to distract Armand, giving Kamiguchi the opening to hit a dropkick to the young Rougeau’s back. Kamiguchi again goes to work on the neck, tossing Armand out of the ring and trying to ram his head into the turnbuckle. Rougeau puts his boot up in time and lands a back elbow as Creatchman motions to the back and Stonehead Ishimoto comes running out. Kamiguchi’s head is bounced off of the ring post by Armand. Rene Goulet is half the distance to the ring behind, but Ishimoto’s mask was preloaded and he KO’s Armand with a headbutt after a few forearms to the back of the neck. Referee Pierre Bertrand calls for the bell as Goulet clubs Ishimoto from behind and runs his head (loaded mask and all) into the ring post.
Armand Rougeau wins by disqualification due to outside interference 6:27
Goulet attacks Kamiguchi, locking in the scorpion claw hold after seeing that Ishimoto is out. Creatchman threatens to attack, but Goulet menaces him and he steps back. Goulet revives Armand, blood coming out of his forehead, and helps him to the back as Creatchman sees to his team. Jacques, Sr. has been calling the chaos to this point and is relieved that Rene Goulet was watching his son’s back, even if things got a little out of hand.
Commercial Break
16:00 - 27:00
We return from commercial to a shot of the ring as Jacques, Sr. recaps the show so far, reminding the fans of the big main event featuring Dino Bravo. Dave Kochen and Tony Ricco emerge from the curtain to some cheers and slap a few hands on the way to the ring. Jacques, Sr. talks about the ongoing issue between Kochen and Goldie Rogers. Goldie Rogers and Steve Regal enter the arena floor to boos. Rogers grinds his hips at several women in the front row on his way to the ring, blowing a kiss to the last. Jacques, Sr. is still disgusted with Rogers after the way he beat Tony Parisi last week.
Dave Kochen & Tony Ricco vs. Goldie Rogers & Steve Regal
Kochen and Rogers go right at one another to start the match. Rogers backs off after a few big right hands from Kochen and seeks the shelter of his team’s corner. Rogers stalls before using the distraction of referee Andre Roy to create an opening and decking Kochen. Kochen fires back after a few right hands from Rogers, but the arrogant Rogers refuses to back down, chasing Kochen back into the corner Ricco is standing in. Ricco and Kochen work on Rogers for a short time before Rogers goes to the eyes on Kochen and lays in a series of stomps to the face of Kochen before using every bit of rope between himself and Regal to rub into Kochen’s face and eyes. Regal tags in and the heels work Kochen over, cutting off several attempts by Kochen to tag in Ricco. Kochen is finally able to hit a crossbody after being sent off the ropes and make the tag while Regal is grabbing his leg. Rogers drops off the apron as Ricco dispatches Regal and charges him. Ricco takes out his frustrations on the unfortunate Regal in the ring, but lets his anger get the better of him and gets attacked from behind by Rogers. Ricco has no choice but to tag Kochen back in after a flurry of right hands and a sledgehammer blow off the second turnbuckle from Rogers, who refuses to stay on the apron after returning at Roy’s four count. Kochen tries to take advantage of the weakened Regal, but Rogers continues to interject himself. Rogers tags in and ends up going down in a heap after a few big right hands from Kochen. Kochen is grabbed from behind and pulled down by Regal as Roy is distracted by Ricco trying to enter the ring and help his partner. Regal chokes Rogers from the apron, allowing Rogers time to recover. Rogers points Roy at Ricco, who is again entering the ring, only to follow referee Roy in and knock Ricco off the apron. Roy notices Regal choking Kochen and begins counting to five, forcing Regal to give up the choke. Regal climbs back up on the apron as Rogers sets Kochen throat-first over the top rope. Regal grabs the back of Kochen’s neck and drops to the arena floor, bouncing Kochen directly into a neckbreaker by Rogers that gets the three count.
Goldie Rogers over Dave Kochen by pinfall after a hotshot/neckbreaker combination 8:48
Jacques, Sr. is incensed at the tactics Rogers and Regal will resort to in order to win a match. He knows that Kochen is fighting an uphill battle and praises the young man for not giving up.
Commercial Break
27:00 - 45:30
Lou Albano and Quebec Television Tag team Champions the Tongan Terrors are in the ring with Jacques, Sr. as we return from commercial, the fans booing loudly and throwing some garbage into the ring. The two Tongans are proudly displaying their titles, holding them up and glaring at the crowd.
Jacques, Sr.: Mr. Albano, it seems that you and your team have gotten the belts you wanted so badly.
Albano: You and I both knew we would, old buddy! You know what the best part is?
Jacques, Sr.: Enlighten me.
Albano: I do like talking to you, Jacques, Sr. It’s rare to find a person of any intelligence at all in these arenas. The best part is that even after what I had King Tonga do last week, we are still here! You see, my monsters have to defend these tag belts every week on TV. That means that no matter what they do to anyone, Frank Valois cannot make the decision to ban us from television. The possibilities are endless! I could have my monsters tear you apart Rougeau! (Laughs and slaps Jacques, Sr. on the shoulder.) I kid, Jacques! I would never do that to you.
Jacques, Sr.: The IWA could always strip your team of the titles.
Albano: Jacques, Jacques, you and I both know how very badly that would go for the other wrestlers in the building. Not to mention the embarrassment and financial hit Frank Valois would take after my lawyers were done with him. No, I think we all know that’s a bad idea. But tonight is not a night to worry about things like that!
Jacques, Sr.: Mr. Albano, it seems you are in a very good mood tonight.
Albano: Mostly, Mr. Rougeau, but there’s one thing that has been bothering me since October 1st. That punk kid Lafon fell on me on purpose! I had to wear a bandage for a week and a half to keep it from bleeding! Look, can you see the cut that’s still there?
Albano pulls his hair aside to show Jacques, Sr. his injury.
Jacques, Sr.: Mr. Albano, it seems to me the only reason Phil Lafon fell on you is because you were clamped on to his leg while he took a headbutt from your man King Tonga.
Albano: I’m sure Lafon wants everyone to see it that way, but I’m not buying it. That kid has been threatening me for over a month and you’ve been witness to every one of his threats. Tell me I’m wrong!
Jacques, Sr.: He certainly is a very passionate young man, but I still have no reason to believe what happened was on purpose. It may very well have cost them a chance at winning the match.
Albano: You believe what you want to, Rougeau. As for me, Lafon moved right up next to his buddy Brunzell on my list. Mark my words, Rougeau, the next time we see those clowns they will PAY!
Jacques, Sr. heads back to the announce table as Albano talks to his charges in their corner. Mad Dog Lefebvre, getting a few cheers along with the boos, and Gilles Poisson head to the ring. Jacques, Sr. puts over Lefebvre as a very tough competitor, citing his brutal match with Mad Dog Vachon two weeks ago. He continues, saying that Lefebvre and Poisson will face another tough test in the TV champs, the Tongan Terrors. Jacques, Sr. points out that Lefebvre and Poisson are both regular partners of the Tongan Terrors and these teams should know each other very well. Jacques, Sr. hopes the security around ringside is ready for anything given Albano’s mood.
Quebec Television Tag Team Champions The Tongan Terrors vs. Mad Dog Lefebvre & Gilles Poisson in a title match (15 minute time limit)
Lefebvre and Tonga John start the match brawling, Lefebvre resorting to biting John’s forehead when nothing else seems to faze the big Tongan. The match goes back and forth, Lefebvre using his ferocity and Poisson his power to counter the brutality of the Tongan Terrors. Neither team gains any kind of decisive advantage for long. At the thirteen minute mark King Tonga headbutts Lefebvre, who is more than a little dazed but fires a headbutt back at King Tonga who fails to notice. Lefebvre is even more dazed and crumples to the mat after a second King Tonga headbutt. The Mad Dog starts biting King Tonga’s forehead as he is dragged to his feet and keeps biting as the King uses stiff open hand strikes to the ribs and finally chops at his neck to break the bite. King Tonga misses a HUGE jumping elbow drop after gaining momentum and both wrestlers tag out. The 12:30 mark sees both the King and the Mad Dog in the ring as legal men with Lefebvre down on the mat. He catches a savate kick from King Tonga after Tonga John is tagged in, but the King jumps up into a kick to the back of Lefebvre’s head that sends him back to the mat. Tonga John hops down off the top only to take a big clothesline from the 280 lb. Poisson. Lefebvre tags in Poisson when the chaos dies down, but Tonga John comes back with punches, chops and a standing big boot after whipping Poisson to the ropes. King Tonga is tagged in and uses his martial arts to stagger the big man before tagging John and hitting the savate kick. Tonga John flies off the top with a big headbutt for the three.
Tonga John over Gilles Poisson py pinfall after a savate kick/flying headbutt combination 14:42
Lefebvre is visibly upset with Poisson, pointing to his wrist several times to indicate the amount of time left in the match when he got pinned. Poisson argues with Lefebvre before the two angrily walk to the back not talking. Albano and the Terrors take time to celebrate retaining their belts before starting for the back. One of the security personnel at ringside becomes a target of Albano as the three pass, Albano pointing to the man and the two Tongans immediately attacking. There are enough security and police personnel nearby to break the fight up quickly, but the unfortunate victim has to be hauled to the back by several men in security uniforms, well behind the Terrors and Albano. Jacques, Sr. wonders what the poor man said to set off Albano as we go to commercial.
Commercial Break & Upcoming Events
45:30 - 63:00
After commercial we come back to a shot of the ring with Dino Bravo, Gino Brito and Tony Parisi walking to the ring to thunderous cheers. Jacques, Sr. puts over this team as the team that can avenge his son against the Midnight Express. Creatchman, Stonehead Ishimoto (seemingly recovered from his meeting with the post earlier) and the Midnight Express come out to boos just as loud as the cheers had been. The Midnight Express are wearing their newly won titles. Creatchman and the Midnights are complaining about having to wrestle on TV. Garbage litters the entrance aisle as the four make their way to the ring. Jacques, Sr. makes the observation that the Midnight Express look very serious and focused despite their complaints. He hopes that Bravo, Brito and Parisi are ready for a fight.
Dino Bravo, Gino Brito & Tony Parisi vs. Canadian International Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express & Stonehead Ishimoto
Bravo starts the match for his team, barreling in on Condrey and the brawl is on. Creatchman’s squad looks for ways to isolate a member of the opposing team, but has no luck until they catch Parisi way too close to their corner. Parisi takes a brutal beating from all three heels, at one point trying to crawl between Rose’s legs only to get stomped right back to the mat as Rose turns around quickly. Condrey takes the tag and continues working on Parisi until he gets staggered by a series of desperate right hands. Parisi falls down from effort and crawls towards his corner only to get caught by the boot inches away and yanked back to the center of the ring where Condrey puts on a crab that is quickly broken up by both Brito and Bravo. Head referee Adrian Desbois clears a six man brawl before it gets too chaotic, leaving Condrey in the ring to hit a devastating backbreaker and follow it up with an airplane spin after looking pointedly at Bravo. All six men are in the ring again, but Desbois is again quick to restore order. Condrey tags to Ishimoto, who tries a falling headbutt with the mask loaded up only to miss Parisi as he rolls away. Parisi barely makes the tag to Bravo before he is hammered from behind by Condrey. The crowd explodes as Bravo mows down all opposition, sending the Midnight Express outside the ring. Ishimoto is out on his feet after the missed headbutt and falls over before Brito comes charging over to start brawling on the floor with both members of the Midnight Express. Bravo slides out of the ring to join the fracas and Desbois reaches a ten count, calling for the bell as both teams have been counted out.
The teams go to a double count-out 10:54
The brawl continues post-match as both Ishimoto and Parisi slowly recover. Creatchman motions to the back and Hurricane Kamiguchi comes running out to tilt the odds in favor of the Midnight Express. Bravo and Brito are losing the battle when Armand Rougeau and Rene Goulet charge out from the back to tilt the odds in favor of the faces. Parisi joins the brawl from the ring, hitting a downed Ishimoto, just slammed to the floor by Goulet, with a flying senton off the apron. Goulet and Armand double team Kamiguchi with punches before Goulet whips Rougeau into a running dropkick that sends Kamiguchi into the guard rail to crumble into a heap. Condrey and Rose, just barely holding heir own against Brito and Bravo, see the odds turn against them and start retreating. Creatchman tosses Condrey a chair from safely behind them and Rose starts swinging the chair in the direction of the faces. All five wisely retreat back a few steps, allowing Rose to collect Kamiguchi, who helps him get Ishimoto to his feet. The faces hold the ring, playing to the crowd and beckoning Creatchman’s group to get back in the ring. Creatchman leads his teams to the back, stopping to hurl verbal jabs back at the men in the ring and fans in the front row. Jacques, Sr. has been excitedly calling the action all along and tells the fans to be sure to tune in next week when the Invaders take on Lefebvre and Poisson in the main event!
Dark Matches Pre-Show The debuting Joel Deaton defeated Bob Marcus with a big boot Louis Laurence defeated Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland in a non-title match with an O’Connor roll