International Wrestling, September 9th, 1983 (Taped September 7th, 1983 at the Palais des Sports, Sherbrooke, QC) 3,646 fans, sellout
Opening Matches
0:00 - 12:00
The opening credits cut to the Gerrard Brothers in the ring as Jacques, Sr. welcomes the fans to another great edition of International Wrestling. The Midnight Express and Eddie Creatchman emerge from the back to massive boos. Creatchman is verbally assaulting the fans at ringside as his charges get in the ring. Jacques, Sr. puts the Midnight Express over as a very dangerous tag team with a very crafty manager.
The Midnight Express vs. The Gerrard Brothers
The Midnight Express dominate from the start and don’t let up. Tim and Alex both do everything in their power to fight back, but are completely overwhelmed by Condrey and Rose. Rose hits his second rope powerslam after Condrey tags him to set up a big leg drop by Condrey on Tim Gerrard.
Condrey over Tim Gerrard by pinfall after a second rope powerslam/running leg drop combination 4:28
We cut to Jacques, Sr. as the ring begins to clear and he comments on the impressive victory tonight by the Midnight Express. He goes on to describe the interactions between the Midnight Express and the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers of late, pointing out that the Midnight Express do indeed seem to be getting the better of it. We cut back to the ring to the Kay Brothers awaiting their opponents. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers get a HUGE pop as they come out wearing their Canadian International Tag Team belts. Jacques, Sr. praises his boys for their continued effort and determination.
Canadian International Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. The Kay Brothers
The Rougeaus steamroll the Kays in much the same way that the Midnights did the Gerrards. Raymond locks on a Quebec crab and Jacques comes off the top after a tag with a knee drop to Rudy kay’s back for the three.
Jacques Rougeau over Rudy Kay by pinfall after a crab/flying knee drop combination 4:26
Jacques, Sr. comments on the similarities between the two very impressive wins as well as contrasting the styles of the Midnight Express and his sons. He then runs down the rest of the card before we go to commercial.
Commercial Break
12:00 - 28:00
We come back from commercial to Jacques, Sr. at the announce table. He talks about the four team tournament to determine who the Quebec Television tag Team champions will be. The tournament starts tonight with two matches, the first of which is up next. He Tongan Terrors are the first out with Albano in tow as the crowd jeers loudly. Albano argues with the first row of the crowd as his charges get in the ring. Jacques Sr. commends Albano for his tactics in getting the Terrors into the tournament. Their opponents are Armand Rougeau & rene Goulet, who get a lot of cheers from the crowd. Jacques, Sr. has nothing but good things to say about his son, who has surely earned his place in this tournament.
Armand Rougeau & Rene Goulet vs. The Tongan Terrors
Armand starts out hot, hitting Tonga John with right hands followed by a dropkick to stagger the big man. This sends John back to his corner where King Tonga tags himself in and takes over the match. Neither Rougeau nor Goulet can put a dent in King Tonga and he sends Armand to the floor with a big chop before starting in on Goulet. The Tongans work Goulet over for a long while, with Armand growing restless to help his partner on the apron. Goulet makes several comebacks that get cut off and finally gets back to Armand and makes the tag. Rougeau is a house afire and he takes on both Tonga John and King Tonga, staggering both men with punches. King Tonga reverses a whip to the corner only to catch a back elbow when Armand springs off the second rope. Armand dropkicks King Tonga to the outside and the faces go to work on Tonga John’s arm to neutralize his strength and brawling. Albano finally has enough and orders King Tonga into the ring, where he destroys Goulet, who had been working an armbar, barely beating referee Pierre Bertrand’s five count back out of the ring. Tonga John takes over on Goulet after hitting a running big boot to send Armand off the apron. Armand is down and out on the floor after hitting the guard rail and Goulet can’t fend off both Tongans alone. He is caught with a savate kick from King Tonga, who tags Tonga John already on top. John comes crashing down with a flying headbutt for the three count on Goulet.
Tonga John over Rene Goulet after a savate kick/flying headbutt combination 13:48
Jacques, Sr. Gives the Tongan Terrors their due for being a dominating tag team, but dreads the idea of them becoming television champions. The two big Tongan wrestlers and Albano celebrate as we go to commercial.
Commercial Break
28:00 - 39:30
We return from commercial to Jacques, Sr. in the ring with Goldie Rogers, Richard Charland & Dan Johnson. Charland is proudly displaying his Quebec Heavyweight Title. Rogers is pacing back and forth with a scowl on his face.
Jacques, Sr.: I’m going to let Mr. Rogers settle down a little and first talk to you, Mr. Charland. You don’t seem overly interested in facing Louis Laurence in the ring.
Charland: I don’t see why I should have to. I won this belt in a match with him. That means I have to go through all the other contenders first.
Jacques, Sr.: Does it also mean that you need to cheat to win most of your matches and avoid Laurence even in non-title matches?
Charland: I don’t like your tone and I don’t have to stand for this! I am the Quebec Heavyweight champion, the first and ONLY Quebec Heavyweight champion.
Jacques, Sr.: Now wait a minute-
Charland walks away from Jacques, Sr. as Rogers stalks in between the two, grabbing Jacqus, Sr.’s hand and talking into the mic.
Rogers: Listen up, Jack and listen good!
Jacques, Sr. is again annoyed at Rogers’ getting his name wrong, but Rogers doesn’t seem to care.
Rogers: On Monday in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richileu that sneaky little Dave Kochen took advantage of my being distracted and rolled me up for a cheap three count! I will not accept that as my first loss in the IWA.
Jacques, Sr.: My recollection is that you were busy trying to impress some women in the front row when Kochen rolled you up. He in no way grabbed your tights or did anything illegal.
Rogers: You don’t get it, Jack! (another glare from Rougeau) These fans come here to see me win. They aren’t here to watch Kochen sneak up on me and get a quick three count.
Jacques, Sr.: I don’t recall the count being fast at all. And it seems to me if you are that worried about winning you might spend less time worrying about the fans at ringside.
Rogers: I’m getting tired of talking to you myself, Jack. Why don’t you scramble back to your little table and watch me show Kochen what happens when you cross me!
Louis Laurence, Dave Kochen & Tony Ricco emerge from the curtain to a good amount of cheers and slap any hands offered to them on the way to the ring. Jacques, Sr. talks up both Laurence and Kochen as the future stars of the IWA after returning to the announce table
Louis Laurence, Dave Kochen & Tony Ricco vs. Goldie Rogers, Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland & Dan Johnson
Kochen and Rogers start off, with Rogers in no way backing down when Kochen hits a few punches. Rogers exchanges punches with Kochen for a short while before going to the eyes and using the top rope to rake Kochen’s eyes. The heels work over Kochen for a short time before he tags in Laurence at the same time Johnson tags in Charland. Charland immediately tags out to Rogers as the crowd boos. Rogers takes a few punches and elbows from a fired-up Laurence before tagging to Johnson and rolling to the floor to check his face. Johnson is the victim of a series of quick tags by the faces, but moves as Kochen tries a running shoulder in the corner. He tags in Rogers, who comes in with vicious right hands and stomps to Kochen’s face before attacking Laurence on the apron. Rogers gets a warning from referee Andre Roy before pointing out that Laurence had punched him in the face before and tagging in Charland, who also takes a cheap shot at Laurence to draw the crowd’s and Roy’s ire. Charland continues working over Kochen before tagging Johnson, who pulls Kochen out of the ring and slams him back first into the ring apron. Johnson gets back in the ring and distracts Roy while Rogers slams Kochen’s head into the post twice and rolls him back in. The heels work over the cut for a while before Ricco and Laurence have had enough. The match threatens to turn into a no contest, but Johnson sends Ricco out of the ring at the same time that Charland drapes Laurence over the top rope from the apron, leaving the legal men Rogers and Kochen in the ring. Charland drags Laurence out to the floor and sends him crashing into the guard rail as Johnson hits a power slam on the floor to Ricco. Rogers, who has been working the cut despite a short comeback from Kochen, hooks what looks like a swinging neckbreaker before wagging his finger “no” and rolling into an inside cradle, grabbing the tights for extra leverage to get the three.
Rogers over Kochen by pinfall with an inside cradle (grabbing the tights) 9:06
Jacques, Sr. Is incensed by the tactics of Charland and Rogers in the match and knows that Laurence, Kochen and Ricco will have better days. He is also sure that Charland can’t hold on to the Quebec Heavyweight Title very long given how he carries himself. He has to believe that Dave Kochen will not take this lying down.
Commercial Break & Upcoming Events
September 11th, 1983, Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, NB, Joint show with MLW The Can Am Express & Armand Rougeau vs. The Tongan Terrors & Hurricane Kamiguchi Stonehead Ishimoto vs. Rene Goulet Tony Ricco vs. Dan Johnson Gino Brito & Tony Parisi in action!
September 12th, 1983, Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, NS, Joint show with MLW The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers defend their Canadian International Tag Team Championships against the Midnight Express The Invaders vs. Mad Dog Lefebvre & Gilles “The Fish” Poisson “The Farmer” Louis Laurence & Dave Kochen vs. Goldie Rogers & Richard Charland
September 13th, 1983, Aitken Centre, Fredericton, NB Invader 3 & The Can Am Express vs. The Tongan Terrors & Mad Dog Lefebvre Invader 1, Armand Rougeau & Rene Goulet vs. Gilles “The Fish” Poisson & Earth and Sky Canadian International Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland & Dan Johnson Tony Parisi vs. Dave Kochen And more!
September 14th, 1983, Colisée de Rimouski, Rimouski, QC The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers & Invader 1 vs. The Midnight Express & Mad Dog Lefebvre Gino Brito & Tony Parisi vs. The Can Am Express Armand Rougeau, Rene Goulet & Dave Kochen vs. Earth and Sky & Mr. Saito Hercules Ayala vs. Gilles “The Fish” Poisson Invader 3 vs. Goldie Rogers “The Farmer” Louis Laurence & Tony Ricco vs. Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland & Dan Johnson
September 15th, 1983, Centre Georges-Vézina, Saguenay, QC Invader 1 & The Can Am Express vs. The Tongan Terrors & Mad Dog Lefebvre Gino Brito, Invader 3 & Rene Goulet vs. Gilles “The Fish” Poisson & Earth and Sky “The Farmer” Louis Laurence & Tony Ricco vs. Quebec Heavyweight Champion Richard Charland & Dan Johnson Tony Parisi vs. Goldie Rogers And more!
September 16th, 1983, Pavillon de la Jeunesse, Quebec City, QC The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers & Phil Lafon vs. The Midnight Express & Mad Dog Lefebvre Jim Brunzell vs. Gilles “The Fish” Poisson Rene Goulet & “The Farmer” Louis Laurence vs. Quebec Heavyweight Champions Richard Charland & Dan Johnson Dave Kochen vs. Tony Ricco And more!
39:30 - 60:00
We come back from commercial with Jacques, Sr. hyping the debut of a new tag team, Earth & Sky , as two Japanese men in masks are shown. One is wearing a white mask with a dark twister type design on either side and the other a black mask with a stone grey rock design on the face. Mad Dog Lefebvre and Gilles Poisson are on their way to the ring when the camera cuts. Jacques, Sr. Talks about how the winner of this match will face the Tongan Terrors on October 1st in the Montreal Forum for the Quebec Television tag Team Titles. Jacques, Sr. doesn’t much care for the idea of either the Tongan terrors or Lefebvre and Poisson as champions. The Can Am Express comes out was the crowd cheers their approval. They slap hands with the fans on their way to the ring as Jacques, Sr. talks about them in glowing terms.
The Can Am Express vs. Mad Dog Lefebvre & Gilles Poisson
Lafon and Brunzell came out on a tear, rolling through whatever Lefebvre or Poisson threw at them. Poisson finally caught a too aggressive Lafon by picking him up off the ropes and dropping him throat-first across the ropes. The heels worked over Lafon with clubs, stomps and some Lefebvre biting. Lefebvre put Lafon in a surfboard that Lafon hit an upside down dropkick to escape, but couldn’t make the tag as he took too long to recover. Another chance came for Lafon when he hit a jumping spinkick on Poisson, but the big man dragged him away from the tag by his tights inches away from Brunzell’s hand. Lafon finally made the tag, but head referee Adrian Desbois never saw it as Poisson had pulled him over to argue with him about Lafon’s use of kicks. Lafon finally tagged in Brunzell, who had a big brawl with Lefebvre in the ring, clearing both Lefebvre and Poisson out eventually. Lafon flew off the ring apron with a crossbody onto Lefebvre on the floor before Brunzell slammed the Mad Dog down on the concrete. Desbois almost counted both teams out, but Brunzell managed to break the count and roll back out of the ring. Poisson caught Brunzell with a few rights as referee Desbois yelled at all four on the outside to get into the ring. Brunzell was whipped to the railing by Poisson, who followed up with a series of stomps and both Lafon and Poisson rolled their partners into the ring. Both Brunzell and Lefebvre made tags and Lafon caught Poisson with several karate kicks to knock him back into the corner. Poisson charged out of the corner with a clothesline as Lafon charged in and caught him flush. Lafon barely kicked out, but rolled Poisson up with an inside cradle for three when Poisson went to pick him up after arguing with Desbois about the count.
Lafon over Poisson with an inside cradle 15:52
The four exhausted participants in the match don’t push the matter any further, all four beaten and battered after a brutal contest. The Tongan Terrors with Albano far behind run down to ringside and start attacking both Lafon and Brunzell, King Tonga banging Brunzell’s head off of the ringpost and opening up a cut. Tonga John hits a running big boot to send Lafon over the guard rail after whipping him into it and both Tongans go to work on Brunzell. Albano laughs in Brunzell’s face standing above him and talks trash as the Terrors stomp away on Brunzell. Jacques, Sr. calls for whatever reinforcements can come as the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, Gino Brito &Tony Parisi, the Invaders as well as all of the referees and security come running out. The Terrors have Brunzell held between them as Albano slaps him across the face between punches to the cut. The Terrors and Albano let go of Brunzell and leave ringside just before the reinforcements arrive and Jacques, Sr. is condemning the actions of Albano and the Tongan Terrors as the show goes off the air.
Dark Matches Post-show
The Invaders start in on Lefebvre and Poisson until Brito gets on the house mic and asks them to stop, challenging them to a match.
Gino Brito & Tony Parisi go to a double count-out with the Invaders after which both teams shake hands and play to the crowd in the ring.