dawho5

July 26th, Palais des Sports, Sherbrooke, Quebec (3,200) Louis Laurence and Tony Ricco defeated the Gerrard Brothers with a wishbone snap followed by a Laurence single leg crab on Tim Gerrard King Tonga defeated Rudy Kay with a savate kick Armand Rougeau defeated Dan Johnson with a sleeper Rene Goulet defeated Tonga John with a schoolboy and escaped the ring quickly to avoid punishment The Midnight Express and Mad Dog Lefebvre defeated The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers and Armand Rougeau when the Midnight Express set up Armand Rougeau for a second rope superplex by Lefebvre Yeah, but the thing about being a touring promotion before the internet era is you can do very similar six-man tags in every town without really killing the match. Each town gets a look at a running feud in not-quite exactly how you want to see it form. Then we put some teasers for the big match on TV in hopes that folks come out from the towns within a few hours to the Forum show. I'm considering running bigger cards in the towns 4+ hours out of Montreal at some point just to give them a good show now and again. As far as taping, all big events in the Montreal Forum and the top two matches on each card will be taped. One reason I like Montreal as a background is I can run workrate face vs. face tag matches, more evenly matched face vs. heel matches without the traditional southern structure, etc. and mix up matches on shows without killing the match because the crowd wants a certain kind of tag match.

Pass. And there should be no limit at all on passing. If you don't want anybody you don't need to pick.

I stand by wanting to pair off with WWC. We have I think five total talent deals in place and we're less than a month in. I would guess Boricua would also like some insurance that in case I drop out he's got the guys he's booking. If we go with the diagram that's not something I'm going to push too hard on, just suggesting that people who have heavy talent trades with one other promotion might like the idea of pairing up.

To my knowledge Buddy Lane = Dave Kochen. Did I miss the boat on this one?

I'll be gone until Sunday evening. I'll probably get my show up for that day, but later than usual. And I'll get to read the Smeltzer report! Have a great weekend all!

I like trying to bait the Super Russian into talking a lot. Given the build to the Canada vs. USA setup I'm guessing this isn't going to end on Tuesday. Should bring in the fans for sure, especially once Flair and co. get the upper hand. Also, Terry Gordy as the ladies' man is great. I can just see him challenging Martel after Flair is done because he figures he already gets more women, so why shouldn't he be the champ to go along with it?

Yeah, wait til 84 at least.

1-2-3 KyxxX-Pac. get it right damn you!

I like the whole Cornette trying to buy the Samoans boots sideshow. Almost as much as the Street vs. Garvin feud, which I would pay to see. Also, good thing you made the Spider Man gimmick short-lived. WCW tried that for an extended period of time with some very bad results, legally speaking.

That is a seriously loaded card regardless of who wins the tag matches.

Goldie Rogers

Wow, Scott Casey has the deck stacked in HIS favor going into the match. I smell screwjob ending.

July 23rd, 1983 from the Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec (3,600) The Gerrard Brothers defeated Etienne Bergeron and Frederic Tremblay with a cross-body by Tim Gerrard on Bergeron Richard Charland and Dan Johnson defeated The Kay Brothers with a spike piledriver Rene Goulet defeated Gilles Poisson with the scorpion claw hold The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers defeated the Can Am Express after a competitive match with a crab/flying knee drop combination on Lafon The Midnight Express and Mad Dog Lefebvre defeated Gino Brito, Tony Parisi and Armand Rougeau when the Midnight Express used a second rope powerslam/leg drop combination on Parisi

Yeah, I was pretty sure about that myself. Maybe switch it over to "tail" or something. It's too bad that match had to be ruined before it could have a finish though.

Some of it is on youtube. The match that's on there is incredible stuff.

Honestly, if we're going with pairings I'd say Montreal and WWC ought to be paired off. It's less geographical than dealing with the fact that the two promotions did (and will be going forward) share a lot of talent.

International Wrestling on July 22nd, 1983 (taped July 20th in the Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec) 3,600 fans Opening/First Match 0-11:00 The show opening montage leads to Jacques, Sr. In the backstage interview area, Lou Albano and the Tongan Terrors stalking into the shot. Rougeau, Sr.: Welcome to another night of International Wrestling, fans! We have a great show for you tonight! Once again we start off with Captain Lou Albano. It looks like your team is back tonight, Mr. Albano, but they aren’t involved in any matches. I imagine you’ll be on your best beh- Albano rips the microphone from Rougeau’s hand and starts in a growl. Albano: Let’s get something straight, Rougeau. Last week you said some very disrespectful things to me and we’re going to talk about that. First, do not ever interrupt me again or the next time I see you my monsters will make it so you can’t talk for a week. Second, if you ever threaten me again I will order my monsters to rip you limb from limb! Can you hold a microphone without any arms, Rougeau? Albano tosses the mic back to Jacques, Sr. The ex-wrestler catches it gracefully while glaring at Albano. Rougeau, Sr.: I can see your manners haven’t improved, Mr. Albano. Regardless, you did request this time. I’m sure these fans would like to know what’s on your mind. Albano: About time, Rougeau. How about you get to the point next time instead of all this pointless chatter? Tonight Jim Brunzell is in the building and he gets what’s coming to him! We haven’t seen him yet, but when we do my monsters will educate him on why it’s a big mistake to make us mad! Rougeau, Sr.: It sounds like you want to spend next week without your charges in the building just like last week, Mr. Albano. Albano: And another thing, Rougeau. Smart mouth comments like that will carry the same punishment as interrupting me. Do you think we care if the IWA doesn’t like what we do? Two weeks ago was just a start and it will get worse. Watch what my monsters do to Brunzell tonight and understand that’s just the beginning! Albano and the Tongan Terrors storm off, kicking open every door in sight and peering in before continuing. The camera cuts to the ring where Dan Johnson is climbing in as the crowd boos him a little. “The Farmer” Louis Laurence comes out to more than a few cheers. Louis Laurence vs. Dan Johnson Johnson starts things out by ambushing Laurence during introductions. Laurence battles back with elbows and punches before trying a takedown. Johnson makes the ropes and cheapshots Laurence on the break, coming up with an arm as Laurence reels. Johnson works the arm over until Laurence is able to reverse a hold and grab Johnson’s left leg. Laurence works the leg until Johnson manages to come back and hit a few slams for nearfalls, but Laurence goes right back to the leg to set up a half crab for the win. Louis Laurence over Dan Johnson by submission with a half crab 7:19 Jacques, Sr. runs down the remaining matches on the card. Commercial Break 11:00-25:30 We return from commercial with Jacques, Sr. talking about Laurence’s win. Mad Dog Lefebvre, Gilles Poisson and Richard Charland walk out to the ring while the crowd boos. Jacques, Sr. highlights Lefebvre’s ferocity and the willingness of both of his teammates to cheat in order to gain the smallest advantage. Armand Rougeau, Rene Goulet and Dave Kochen come out of the back to a great response. Dave Kochen is put over by Jacques, Sr. as a bright young prospect while Goulet is presented as a wise veteran who has taken Armand under his wing. A father’s pride comes through as Jacques, Sr. talks about Armand’s fire and athleticism. Armand Rougeau, Rene Goulet & Dave Kochen vs. Mad Dog Lefebvre, Gilles Poisson & Richard Charland The match goes back and forth at the beginning with Lefebvre and Rougeau having several intense exchanges. Goulet gets worked over for a short time with a blistering Armand comeback only to have Poisson trap him in the corner for both of his partners to beat Rougeau up while Kochen argues with referee Luigi Marcera. Armand takes a good beating before tagging in Kochen, who comes in hot with Goulet joining in. In the confusion, Poisson hits a low blow to stun Kochen and set him up for a bearhug. Poisson was not the legal man and set Kochen up on the second turnbuckle for Lefebvre to superplex him for the win. Mad Dog Lefebvre over Dave Kochen by pinfall after a bearhug/second rope superplex combination 11:26 Commercial Break 25:30 - 44:30 We return from commercial to Jacques Rougeau, Sr. in the ring with Phil Lafon and Jim Brunzell. The two young wrestlers play to the crowd and soak in the cheers. Rougeau, Sr.: I’m here with two of International’s most exciting young wrestlers, Jim Brunzell and Phil Lafon. You two seem to have had nothing but trouble since you arrived. Lafon: We can handle whatever trouble comes our way, Jacques, Sr. We are glad to be here in the International Wrestling Association. There’s a lot going on here and we want to be a part of it! Brunzell: The fans here have been great and we hope we can live up to the example the Rougeaus are setting. Rougeau, Sr.: What about Lou Albano and the Tongan Terrors? They seem to have it out for you, Jim. Brunzell: If they have a problem with me, we’ll settle it in the ring like men. Lafon: What we want to talk about is the number Slaughter did on us in the tournament. We hear he’s coming back to town for the show on the 30th. I think the fans want to see us take out Slaughter and Lefebvre! The fans cheer, but it’s not the reaction Gino Brito or a Rougeau would get. Rougeau, Sr.: It does seem that way. Lafon: We have one more thing to address, Jacques, Sr. The Midnight Express overlooked us three weeks ago in that tournament and it almost cost them. I won’t make excuses for the loss, they got the one, two, three on us fair and square. We’re not done with them, but it seems like we have other things to deal with first. Brunzell: I think we’ve proven that we’re more than capable as a team. Every tag team needs a name. We don’t want to forget the Midnight Express while we deal with Slaughter, so we’re going to remind ourselves whenever we get in the ring. You can call us the Can Am Express! The newly named Can Am Express wait in the ring for their opponents, the British Bulldogs to enter. Jacques, Sr. Returns to the announce table and talks about what a shame it is that a veteran and a man with the size advantage Poisson has would resort to cheating in the previous match. The British Bulldogs emerge and Jacques, Sr. begins talking about how well the Bulldogs did in the tournament and how excited he is for this matchup. He only hopes that the Tongans won’t take this opportunity to follow up on Albano’s threats. The crowd cheers the team of young, exciting British stars after their performance on July 2nd. The Can Am Express vs. The British Bulldogs This match goes a mile a minute as both teams work fast and furious with no clear control for any amount of time. Each team takes turns double-teaming a member of the opposite team before a series of rollup reversals between Dynamite and Lafon. The Tongan Terrors sprint down to ringside and pull Brunzell off the apron just as he turns around. Albano points into the crowd and both big Tongans toss Brunzell over the guard rail into the crowd. Tonga John holds off the other three wrestlers, swinging a chair wildly while King Tonga starts tossing Brunzell around in the crowd with little regard for where any fans may be. The King grabs a chair, waiting for Brunzell to stand up right in front a a couple with several children and hurls the chair straight at Brunzell’s head. Brunzell, unable to move because of what would happen to the people behind him, gets his hands up, but goes down in a heap and King Tonga continues to stomp at him after hitting him several times over the back with another chair. Jacques, Sr. Is mortified through all of this, demanding that somebody from the back come out and help. The other three wrestlers are finally able to subdue Tonga John and help Brunzell, but the damage has been done. Brunzell, his forehead bleeding profusely, has to be helped to the back by Davey Boy and Lafon. No contest due to interference 13:06 Eddie Creatchman and the Midnight Express are with Jacques Rougeau, Sr. in the interview area backstage as we come back from break. Rougeau, Sr.: It looks like your team won’t get your opportunity to face the Rougeaus for the titles, Eddie Creatchman. What’s next for the Midnight Express? Creatchman: You sure make a lot of assumptions, Rougeau. Let me ask you this. Who did Tony Parisi pin last week? Was is Randy Rose or Dennis Condrey? Rougeau, Sr.: No, it was Dan Johnson. They seemed like they did just fine against Rose and Condrey. Creatchman: I won’t stand here and tell you that Brito is nothing in that ring. I know he’s good. But he’s not as good as he thinks he is and my guys are better. Better than your pampered sons, too! Rougeau, Sr.: I’m not even going to dignify that with a response. Creatchman: It’s too bad you already did. Your family never did have any brains. Brito hasn’t got much going on up there either. After my guys put Brito and Parisi away next week, you’ll have to watch them take the tag titles away from your sons, Rougeau! Creatchman and the Midnight Express storm off, leaving Jacques, Sr. Shaking his head. Commercial Break and Upcoming Events July 23rd, Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec Gino Brito, Tony Parisi & Armand Rougeau vs. The Midnight Express & Mad Dog Lefbvre The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. The Can Am Express Rene Goulet vs. Gilles “The Fish” Poisson July 26th, Palais des Sports, Sherbrooke, Quebec The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. The Midnight Express & Mad Dog Lefebvre Rene Goulet vs. Tonga John King Tonga and Phil Lafon in action. July 27th, Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec Gino Brito & Tony Parisi vs. The Midnight Express, winner takes on the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers for the Canadian International Tag Team titles on July 30th in the Montreal Forum Rene Goulet vs. Mad Dog Lefebvre The Can Am Express and Gilles “The Fish” Poisson will be on the card. 44:30 - 60:00 We return from commercial to Jacques Rougeau, Sr. In the interview area. Stan Hansen comes into the shot, announced by the bell on his bullrope, swniging the bullrope wildly and causing Jacques, Sr. To dodge nervously away. Hansen is in his always-present cowboy hat with his ring and entrance gear on. Hansen starts shouting loudly enough that he is heard without the microphone. Hansen: Andre, you may be the biggest bastard I’ve ever faced in a wrestling ring, but that don’t mean I won’t kick your ass, boy! In a week and a half I’m gonna lariat you so hard the people in the first row will feel it! Jacques, Sr.: Mr. Hansen, tonight you face Gino Brito- Hansen: I don’t care about Gino...what’d you say his name was? Jacques, Sr.: Gino Brito, Mr.- Hansen: Never heard of that sumbitch. How about that Jacques Rougeau? He’s scrawny, but from what i seen he likes a good fight! I wouldn’t mind kickin’ his scrawny French Canadian ass to warm up for Andre. Jacques, Sr.: Regardless, tonight y- Hansen: Boy, I don’t think you’ve been payin’ any attention to me. I’m here to fight Andre. We got unfinished business and nothin’ else in this one horse town is worth my time. This Brito like a good fight? Jacques, Sr.: He’ll surprise you. Hansen: Damn, boy, yer catchin’ on. I think I might like you yet. Let me just say this to any fans watching. Me and Andre got a history, and it ain’t pretty. We ain't gonna be doing no high flyin' or technical wrestlin'. If that's what you want to see, stay home. If you love a good knock down, drag out brawl, come on down, 'cause that's what yer gonna get! Right now I got me a French Canadian to beat up before I do the same to a giant Frenchman! Jacques shakes his head, partially in relief as Hansen never stopped moving during his promo or slamming the bell on his bullrope around. We cut to the crowd roaring for Gino Brito entering the ring. Jacques, Sr. highlights Brito’s years as a fan favorite right here in Montreal. Brito soaks it in as Stan Hansen emerges from the back to a heavy round of boos. Hansen swings is bullrope around wildly on his way to the ring, threatening Brito with it upon entering the ring. Hansen is described by Jacques, Sr. as a “Texas tornado.” Jacques, Sr. describes how Hansen has been fined and banned from promotions for behavior similar to that of the Tongan Terrors. Gino Brito vs. Stan Hansen Hansen and Brito go straight to brawling, then both work a headlock for a while. Hansen lays a mean beating in on Brito, who fires up and brawls back into the match before going to the leg to set up his figure four. Hansen nearly falls victim to the hold, but scrambles halfway to the ropes while fighting Brito putting it on to make his escape much easier. Hansen rolls out of the ring and Brito chases him down, much to the fans delight. Brito puts on the brakes when Hansen tries to run him into the ringpost, but the big Texan slams Brito on the arena floor to set up a lariat in the ring for the three. Stan Hansen over Gino Brito by pinfall after the lariat 12:57 The show ends with Hansen in the ring celebrating. The big Texan is giving the "longhorn" gesture as Gino Brito lays on the mat motionless as head referee Adrian Desbois and several medical personnel check on him. Dark Matches: Pre-show The Tongan Terrors defeated the Gerrard Brothers after a savate kick/flying headbutt combo. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers defeated the Kay Brothers after a crab/flying knee drop combo.

Man, that Verne has some business sense...

Great stuff with Bock and Heenan!

How about a 1-2 day vote? And if votes take forever, are more people up for a draft that starts in late October than those who just want to release a few guys and draft some new JTTS types? I think we have to look at this realistically and figure the procedure out for when somebody leaves right now. I think we should be trying to get these kinds of things taken care of as they come up and get a set rule for them as quickly as possible.

That is the name I am using for the team of Raymond & Jacques specifically. I've toyed with the idea of calling them The Rougeau Brothers as a three man unit. That's something I'm not quite sure how to handle yet.

I think we wait until we absolutely have to on any killing of promotions. If we all have to wait an extra month for new talent so be it. I'm not so keen on getting in new blood that I want to start kicking people out for being a little burnt out from the draft.

They can't really do that...

While I agree somewhat, I think that it's a world of difference. Yes, Bryan had the goofy beard and got treated like a sideshow. But he also didn't have years of the audience experience creating a) expectation that his matches would be shit break matches and b.) the audience not caring one bit about his character. These are both things that Sasha, Becky and Charlotte have to face. If NXT was a bigger deal to the majority of WWE fans before the move, maybe I might have more faith.

July 19th, 1983 at the Colisée de Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec (2,500) Dave Kochen defeated Alex Gerrard with an abdominal stretch Jim Brunzell and Phil Lafon defeated Louis Laurence and Tony Ricco with a combination dropkick/cobra clutch to Ricco Tony Parisi defeated Dan Johnson with a flying senton Tonga John defeated Rene Goulet with a flying headbutt off the top The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers and Armand Rougeau defeated the Midnight Express and Mad Dog Lefebvre when Armand Rougeau used a sleeper on Lefebvre