International Wrestling, September 23rd, 1983 (Taped September 21st, 1983, at the Colisée de Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, QC) 3,500 fans, sellout
0:00 - 14:00
The opening montage brings us to Jacques, Sr. at the announce table, welcoming us to another edition of International Wrestling. His tone is angry as he tells the fans they will now see a video of what pulled the Rougeaus away from their match last week. The camera cuts to a camera man running a little unsteadily only to find the Midnight Express attacking a face-down Armand Rougeau, Condrey stomping away at the back of his neck in between Condrey hitting the same spot with the edge of a folding chair. Jacques and Raymond Rougeau come running up in the background, with the Midnight Express taking off. The elder Rougeau brothers help load their brother on a gurney before turning it over to the medical personnel and running back towards the ring. The camera cuts back to Jacques, Sr.
Jacques, Sr.: My youngest son, Armand, was taken to the hospital to see if he sustained any neck injuries. He is recovering from a minor injury that will keep him out at least until early October. I cannot believe that even Eddie Creatchman would stoop so low as to orchestrate this kind of attack on my son. My other sons, Raymond and Jacques, Jr., have demanded that they get a match with the Midnight Express on October 1st. It seems to me that this is exactly what Eddie Creatchman and the Midnight Express wanted, but I understand my sons wanting to get revenge for what happened to their brother.
The camera cuts to the ring where Etienne Bergeron is awaiting his opponent. Rene Goulet comes out of the back to cheers and Jacques, Sr. is happy to see the respected veteran.
Rene Goulet vs. Etienne Bergeron
Goulet is dominant from bell to bell, having his way with Bergeron. He finishes Bergeron off with a scorpion claw hold without breaking a sweat.
Rene Goulet over Etienne Bergeron by pinfall with a scorpion claw hold 4:31
Jacques, Sr. gives Goulet credit for an impressive victory before talking about the rest of the matches on the card tonight. He says there is a major announcement regarding the October 1st Montreal Forum show later tonight in addition to the tag titles match and to stay tuned! The camera cuts back to the ring with Dave Kochen, halfway down the aisle. Kochen is greeted warmly by the fans if not overly loudly. Jacques, Sr. talks about Kochen’s potential and his lethal abdominal stretch. Goldie Rogers is out next, strutting on his way to the ring and paying attention to the female fans in the first few rows. He points at Kochen and immediately gets serious. Jacques, Sr. recounts Rogers’ actions two weeks ago in the six man tag match.
Dave Kochen vs. Goldie Rogers
Rogers starts off hot, laying into Kochen, who comes firing back with rights. Kochen hits a dropkick and a few elbow drops to take control. Rogers starts to cower away from the punches to the face before hitting a low blow as referee Andre Roy moves Kochen away from the corner. Kochen makes several desperate comeback attempts as Rogers works him over viciously, but can’t quite recover from the low blow. Rogers continually taunts the fans, asking them how they can cheer for a weakling and a sneak. Rogers is able to hit the neckbreaker with relative ease for the three count.
Goldie Rogers over Dave Kochen by pinfall with the neckbreaker 6:48
Post-match Rogers stomps away at Kochen befoe being shoved off by Roy and head referee Adrian Desbois, who runs out from the back. Rogers taunts both Kochen and the crowd from ringside before sidling up to a woman in the front row with an angry-looking (and slightly bigger than Rogers) man sitting next to her and grinding his hips at her. Jacques, Sr. is disgusted by Rogers’ actions and hopes Kochen will be more wary of Rogers’ dirty tactics in the future.
Commercial Break
14:00 - 23:00
Lou Albano and the Tongan terrors are in the ring with Jacques, Sr. when we return from commercial. Albano is looking gleeful tonight. The fans at ringside are booing the two big Tongans and their manager loudly, some throwing garbage at them.
Jacques, Sr.: You are in a rare good mood Mr. Albano. It seems you are happy to have your charges back?
Albano: You read my mind, Mr. Rougeau. I love having these guys here so much, I almost want to stop making management angry for a while. HAH. Almost.
Jacques, Sr.: I wonder if you could do that if you tried, Mr. Albano.
Albano: HAH! It turns out I do like you, Jacques, Sr.
Jacques, Sr.: That’s good to know, Mr. Albano, I understand you asked for this interview time. I hope I don’t regret asking you what for.
Albano: I think you and all of these fans, as clueless as they are, know exactly why I’m out here. The Can Am Express has been threatening ME because they are scared of my monsters. They think they can gain some kind of advantage going into our match for the Quebec Television Titles on October 1st by doing that I imagine. Well let me tell you this, Phil Lafon. My monsters are bigger, badder and meaner than you could ever be. And I would put money on King Tonga being every bit the athlete you are. Tonga John is a tough, strong, brutal man and neither one has the least bit of mercy or fear. Brunzell and Lafon have guts, I’ll give them that. But they need to think things through. These men behind me are monsters! Lafon, Brunzell or both could very easily have heir career ended because we have no intention of stopping once we get a three count.
Jacques, Sr.: Mr. Albano, I think you underestimate both Lafon and Brunzell. They have proven to be very resilient, skilled competitors in the IWA.
Albano: And these monsters behind me? Have they proven to be brutal, vicious and willing to hurt people? Have they proven to be double tough? Can you honestly say you’ve seen them on the short end of a beating?
Jacques, Sr.: I can’t disagree with any of that, Mr. Albano. Your team is indeed very formidable. There are many who would call them out of control and dangerous, myself among them.
Albano: Then you’re not as blind as I used to think you were. They are dangerous, and they are out of your control. They listen to me. They are. My. Monsters. They will be your TV champions and this crowd’s, and anyone watching’s TV champions. You won’t like it and we won’t care. Nothing you, the fans or Lafon and Brunzell do can change that.
Jacques, Sr. exits the ring as the crowd starts throwing more trash in the ring at Albano and the Terrors. Bobby and Rudy Kay come out to a small amount of cheers, very likely because of who is in the ring. Jacques, Sr. returns to the announce table and puts over the Kays as valiant competitors, but very overmatched.
The Tongan Terrors vs. The Kay Brothers The Terrors destroy the Kays after an initial barrage from both Kay brothers goes almost unnoticed by Tonga John. Rudy Kay gets an armbar on King Tonga later on only to take a brutal headbutt and crumple. King Tonga tags in Tonga John, who climbs up top. A savate kick from King sets up John for a flying headbutt that gets a three count.
Tonga John over Rudy Kay by pinfall after a savate kick/flying headbutt combination 4:24
The Tongan Terrors celebrate post-match as the crowd boos and throws more garbage. They head to the back with Jacques, Sr. putting over the Tongan Terrors as monsters. His tone changes as Louis Laurence and Tony Ricco come flying back through the curtain to land in the aisle with the Terrors close after. Albano is directing his charges to beat up the two young wrestlers and slam their heads into the railing that flanks the aisle as Jacques, Sr. is calling for security. Laurence and Ricco are both bloody and Albano is directing his team to continue the punishment, Tonga John holding Laurence up for a King Tonga thumb spike. A fan gets too close at ringside and King Tonga kicks the railing at him. Security, all three referees and half the locker room finally come pouring out of the back to restrain the Terrors and we go to commercial.
Commercial Break
23:00 - 30:00
We come back from commercial to Jacques, Sr. recapping the Tongan Terrors latest offense against the IWA. Laurence and Ricco were scheduled in this match, but they had to see the doctor in back after the beating they received at the hands of the Tongan Terrors. The camera cuts to the ring where the Gerrard Brothers are awaiting their opponents. Stonehead Ishimoto and Hurricane Kamiguchi come out of the ring to boos. Jacques, Sr. reminds the fans of their TV debut last week in which Ishimoto put something in his mask and headbutted Dave Kochen for a tainted win.
Hurricane Kamiguchi & Stonehead Ishimoto vs. The Gerrard Brothers
The Japanese team starts off with Kamiguchi looking for a Greco-Roman knuckle lock and kicking Tim Gerrard in the gut. The veteran masked men work over Gerrard’s back and ribs for a while, cutting of a few attempts at a tag. Alex Gerrard gets a nice run of punches on Ishimoto before Kamiguchi hits a neckbreaker on him as the illegal man and the Japanese team works over Alex’s neck. Alex is able to make a tag to Tim, who is in no condition to make a comeback. Kamiguchi grabs the young man as Ishimoto tags him, hitting a spinning Samoan drop in the center of the ring. Ishimoto loads up the mask as referee Pierre Bertrand chases Kamiguchi out of the ring and falls straight into a headbutt to the ribs of the downed Tim Gerrard for three.
Stonehead Ishimoto over Tim Gerrard by pinfall after an airplane spin Samoan drop/falling headbutt combination 5:07
Jacques, Sr. is once again incensed at the tactics of the Japanese veterans. He knows that this tactic will backfire on them eventually and hopes he is watching when it does. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers are up next, don’t go away!
Commercial Break
30:00 - 40:30
We come back to a shot of the ring after commercial. Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland and Dan Johnson come out to a good amount of boos, Charland doing everything he can to get the crowd to notice his belt. Jacques, Sr. wishes Richard Charland would treat that belt with some dignity. He believes the title does not make the man, but the other way around. Jacques, Sr. points to his sons as examples of this as they come out to a massive pop with their titles around their waists.
Canadian International Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland & Dan Johnson
Charland is stalling from the get-go, not wanting to tangle with either Rougeau. Finally he locks up with Jacques only to rake the eyes, throw a few rights and tag out to Johnson. A very angry Jacques runs over Johnson before tagging in Raymond, who begins working over Johnson’s back and ribs. Charland is able to turn the tide in Johnson’s favor and get tagged in to do some work on Raymond, who backs him right into Jacques while in a front facelock. The crowd explodes when Jacques massacres Charland. Charland manages to desperately tag in Johnson before almost diving out of the ring. The Rougeaus work over Johnson some more when he finally gets in the ring after three four counts from referee Andre Roy. Raymond tags Jacques and locks in a Quebec crab on Johnson, Jacques coming down with a flying knee drop to get the three.
Jacques Rougeau over Dan Johnson by pinfall after a crab/flying knee drop combination 6:45
Jacques, Sr. is proud of his boys for not continuing the assault after the match despite Charland’s antics. He is interrupted by the crowd’s boos as Eddie Creatchman, microphone in hand, and the Midnight Express come halfway down the aisle. The crowd boos the trio very loudly and throw garbage at them.
Creatchman: I’m happy to see that you two are keeping the belts that belong to the Midnight Express in good shape. You see, we already know we’ve got the match on October 1st. Instead of punishing the Midnight Express for their actions last week, you’re going to reward us with a title shot on October 1st.
A member of the crowd throws a not empty drink at Rose, who scowls menacingly at the woman. Jacques, Sr. is in the ring with his sons, handing them a microphone.
Raymond: I know you think you’ve won, Creatchman. What you did last week crossed the line and you will all pay!
Jacques, Jr.: We owe it to Armand to make you pay for what you did and we will. Every time you wrestled us before, it wasn’t personal. Now it is.
The crowd pops huge for this.
Creatchman: You two are so predictable. There was no way you were going to give us a third match any other way. Let’s just ask Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose. Did I or did I not tell you that if we hurt Armand his older brothers would want to wrestle you?
Rose: You did.
Condrey: Word for word.
Creatchman: So you see, you may think you have us where you want us. You may think that this time we don’t know what we’re up against. But what I know is that you are playing my game. I’m sure the two of you will come out all guns blazing on the 1st, but it’s no matter. My team doesn’t just go into a match expecting rage and will to carry them to victory. They have a plan, which is more than I can ever say about you two. Furthermore, Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose have proven they can beat you. You, your overprotective father and all of these fans are in for a big surprise on October 1st.
Creatchman is yelling to get his words out over the boos from the crowd.
Jacques, Sr.: Eddie Creatchman, you got what you wanted. You got your title shot. Your team also injured my son and I hope they understand what they have gotten themselves into.
Creatchman: They know. I told them. I showed them footage. They weren’t overly impressed and I can’t blame them. I can gaurantee you, one hundred percent, that those titles your sons are in possession of will be around the waists of Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose after October 1st. And the IWA will finally have deserving champions.
The crowd again explodes into loud boos.
Creatchman: What do you know? You’re simpletons and I could care less if you don’t like it. No amount of booing, drink throwing or yelling will stop the inevitable. Just remember this. Nobody wanted the Midnight Express to get another chance at those titles. Your wise and impartial announcer was convinced I couldn’t make it happen. But I did. And after that match your other sons will be joining Armand in the hospital!
The Midnights and Creatchman again get pelted with garbage as Jacques and Raymond make for the ropes. Jacques, Sr. keeps his boys from running out and attacking the Midnight Express, calling a huddle in the middle of the ring. Creatchman and the Midnights head for the exit, Creatchman jawing with every fan he can on the way back.
Commercial Break
40:30 - 43:00
Jacques, Sr. is standing in the ring as we come back from commercial, microphone in hand.
Jacques, Sr.: Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for our big announcement concerning the Montreal Forum show on October 1st. We already have the Canadian International Tag Team Titles on the line, the Can Am Express will be taking on the Tongan Terrors for the newly made Quebec Television Tag team Titles, Louis Laurence will be challenging Richard Charland for his Quebec Heavyweight Title and Andre the Giant will be wrestling! But that’s not the big announcement. The big announcement is that Mad Dog Vachon and Mad Dog Lefebvre are going to have it out to see who the real mad dog is!
The crowd bursts into cheers.
Jacques, Sr.: They will be joined by a dog collar for the match, ten feet of chain attached to a strap around both of their necks! We are calling Two Dogs on a Leash! Because of this ubiquitous match, we are calling the show the Dog Days of Fall!
The crowd gets louder as Rougeau mentions the dog collar and doesn’t settle down.
Jacques, Sr.: With that, I would like to welcome my guest out to the ring, MAD DOG VACHON!
The cheers somehow get louder as Vachon jogs out to the ring.
Jacques, Sr.: Mad Dog, it’s good to see you again. We’ve had our battles, but I can say that I respect you as a tough, strong, skilled competitor with a lot of guts.
Vachon: You were no slouch yerself. That Lefebvre is tough too. I gotta make sure he’s a Mad Dog.
Jacques, Sr.: I remember he always liked watching you growing up. Do you see any of yourself in him?
Vachon: Some, but he’s still a pup. He’d better be ready for this match. I’m giving him everything I got. It’s gonna get bloody. One or both of us won’t be able to walk out. But you know me, Jacques, that’s how I like it!
The crowd pops huge.
Jacques, Sr.: I’ve seen you in more than enough bloody battles, Mad Dog. I know these fans are looking forward to that match, but I’m not sure I want to see either of you go through it.
Vachon: You always were a big softie.
Vachon slaps Jacques, Sr. hard on the back and the two laugh, Jacques, Sr. shaking the Mad Dog’s hand and exiting the ring.
Commercial Break & Upcoming Events
43:00 - 62:00
The Invaders come out to a good pop and shake hands with Vachon. Jacques, Sr. describes for the fans the troubles the Invaders have had with Lefebvre and Poisson. Randy Rose, Mad Dog Lefebvre and Gilles Poisson emerge from the curtain to loud boos with Eddie Creatchman in tow. The crowd throws more garbage at Rose. Jacques, Sr. tells the fans to get ready for a brawl just as Lefebvre sprints the last half of the aisle and starts brawling with Vachon, the Invaders joining in.
Mad Dog Vachon & the Invaders vs. Randy Rose, Mad Dog Lefebvre & Gilles Poisson
Rose and Poisson rush the ring to even things up and the match never settles down. Head referee Adrian Desbois has his hands full keeping one man from each team in the ring for any amount of time. About ten minutes in, Vachon and Lefebvre, both illegal men, start brawling on the outside and work their way up the aisle. The match continues 2 on 2 in the ring with Poisson catching Invader 3 with a low blow that nearly wins the match. Invader 1 stomps away at Poisson’s head after breaking the pin only to be blindsided by Rose and sent to the floor. The Mad Dogs disappear into the back as Poisson and Rose began working over Invader 3’s back. More than a few comebacks by Invader 3 get shut down before he tags in an infuriated Invader 1 who decimates Poisson before dropkicking Rose out of the ring. Creatchman has a quick strategy session with Rose on the outside. Invader 1 looks ready to hit the heart punch on Poisson when Rose hits a few clubbing forearms to the back. Invader 1 fights back with right hands and drove Rose back only to again turn to Poisson and continue the assault. Rose blindsides Invader 1 again, this time hitting a back kick to the gut to cut off the right hands. A big side slam by Rose puts Invader 1 in trouble, but Poisson is unable to capitalize. Invader 3, somewhat recovered comes in and starts working Poisson over, bouncing off the ropes perhaps for his senton, but Rose catches him in the back with a knee. Poisson goes right to the eyes and whips Invader 3 hard into the corner, tagging in Rose. Rose hits a second rope powerslam, Poisson tagging back in as Rose is setting up, and runs across the ring to knock Invader 1 off the apron and slide out. Poisson grabs Invader 3 in a bearhug with the Puerto Rican wrestler fighting to get to the ropes and then going to the eyes, but his strength is sapped and he ends up passing out in the hold.
Gilles Poisson over Invader 3 via submission with a bearhug 16:13
Jacques, Sr. is appalled at the tactics used by Poisson and Rose to isolate their opponents. He admits it’s effectiveness, but cannot condone that sort of behavior. Jacques, Sr. Runs down the card for October 1st, The Dog Days of Fall with a graphic on the screen as we go off the air.
The Dog Days of Fall, Ocober 1st, 1983, Montreal Forum
Mad Dog Vachon takes on mad Dog Lefebvre in a Two Dogs on a Leash match!
The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers defend the Canadian International Tag Team Titles against the Midnight Express in a grudge match for the Rougeaus!
Hercules Ayala looks to prove his strength against Andre the Giant!
The Can Am Express and the Tongan Terrors vie for the privilege of being the inaugural Quebec Television Tag Team Champions!
Dino Bravo takes on the Texas Tornado, Stan Hansen!
Invader 3 takes on bitter rival Gilles “The Fish” Poisson
Returning Armand Rougeau & Rene Goulet face the masked Hurricane Kamiguchi & Stonehead Ishimoto
Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland defends his title against “The Farmer” Louis Laurence
Tony Parisi and Dave Kochen look for a win over rival Goldie Rogers and his partner Steve Regal
Dark Matches
Post-Show
Dennis Condrey and Eddie Creatchman came out to the ring, Creatchman getting on the mic and asking if anybody in the back thought they could beat the Midnight Express. The Can Am Express came out, which prompted Creatchman to say, “Oh, look, the “other” express.”
The Can Ams gave the Midnights a scare, but Condrey and Rose won after Condrey used a suplex lift to set Rose up for a second rope powerslam on Lafon.