Georgia Championship Wrestling &
Great Lakes Championship Wrestling Present:
AWA Wrestling at the Omni, in Atlanta Georgia, July 9th, 1984
Shawn Michaels vs. Masked Superstar
The Superstar is here working a match against the young Shawn Michaels, and he is absolutely relentless on the young man, using his size and power to keep the youngster on the defensive, eventually he locks in the Cobra Clutch, and that was it
Winner via Submission in 7:14: The Masked Superstar
...
Arn Anderson vs. Brett Wayne Sawyer
A good competitive match between the 2. Anderson might have had more momentum recently, but Brett is no slouch. At the end of the day, Arn ends up being just too much on this date, and puts away Sawyer with a Gordbuster
Winner in 13:18 by Pinfall: Arn Anderson
...
Ivan Koloff & Iron Sheik vs. Norvell Austin & Pez Whatley
Austin & Whatley are trying to reclaim there momentum here, but they drew a very tough test in this one. Austin and Whatley has some really nice momentum going early, but eventually the power of Shiek and Koloff just become too much, and Whatley is forced to tap to the Bearhug of Koloff.
Winner via Submission in 11:03: Ivan Koloff & Iron Sheik
...
Before the next match can happen, David Sammartino makes his way to the ring and grabs the house mic.
Sammartino: Angelo Poffo! You claimed I was like your son! And then out of nowhere, you and Lanny “worked out your differences” and left me packing! How dare you! You had a winner! And you ended it to work with your loser son who has never accomplished anything! Well I don’t need you, but I do want to send your entire family out of here! And I know your son is in the building! If you hav any guts, he will bring himself out here so I can tar and feather him out of Georgia
Lanny Poffo, it’s father Angelo, quickly makes his way out, easier to take the challenge,
Lanny Poffo w/Angelo Poffo vs. David Sammartino
Sammartino is trash talking Angelo on the outside, as the bell rings, actively leaning over the rope, paying no attention to Lanny. Lanny quickly comes up behind him, and jumps straight into a crucifix pin. The ref makes the count, and gets the 3!
Winner via Pinfall, in 13 seconds: Lanny Poffo
...
Ole Anderson vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Ole has been growing tired of Duggan ever since Hacksaw attacked the Andersons when he was their partner in a 6 man tag, and wanted this to be him sending Duggan packing as a loser. But there are no many men that can match power with Duggan. And Duggan is just throwing out power moves early, and Ole is heavily on the defensive. But if few can match Duggan’s power, even fewer can match Ole’s craftiness. As Duggan was trying to get in the ring after some ringside brawling, Ole took out his leg leaving his other leg tied in the ropes, and Ole took his opportunity and went to town.
After the leg was finally separated from the ropes, Ole did hIs best to keep Duggan neutralized, doing everything he can think of to keep Duggan grounded. Eventually Duggan managed to find some breathing room, and even with one proper leg was managing to throw Ole around. Late in the match though, Arn makes his way to the ring, and is arguing with the ref in the apron, Duggan is going over to try to get Arn off the prom, but Ole tries to attack behind. Unluckily for the Andersons, Duggan knows who he is facing and how they work. Duggan moves out of the way, and Ole and Arn collide! Ole is looking to th floor in shock, and doesn’t see Duggan going down in the 3 Point Stance. When he turns he walks into a nasty surprise, and that’s all she wrote for this one
Winner via pinfall, in 12:56: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Post Match, while Hacksaw is celebrating, Arn runs in from behind and clips Duggan in his bad knee. Arn keeps stomping the knee, as Ole stands to also continue the assault. Ole is calling for locking I a Figure 4 when Terry Taylor comes and, and is a house of fire! Ole and Arn retreat, as Taylor helps Duggan to his feet and raises his arm in victory.
...
AWA Superstation Title Match: Stan Hansen (c) vs. Bruiser Brody
There is a buzzing before the bell even rings for this one, and this one goes absolutely crazy at the bell, with both men charging and fists a flyin’! Brody actually gains a brief advantage early, booting Hansen enough for Stan to lose his footing, which gets a big pop. Brody wastes no time, and looks for a King Kong Knee, but Hansen rolls out of the way, and quickly Lariats Brody as Bruiser stands, which causes Brody to roll out of the ring. Hansen follows, but is met with Brody throwing a ringside chair straight at Hansen. From there this goes full wild crowd brawl, with Hansen and Brody causing a sea of people to move away from everyone raving mad men. Eventually the ref has to call the match
This Match Has Been Ruled a No Contest
...
AWA National Tag Team Title Match: The Fantastics vs. The Lone Riders (c)
This two teams have had all sorts of matches for months now, but every time it seems like the Fantastics have there grasp on the tag belts, the Irwin boys have managed to escape with their gold. It seems early that this match will not be a long one: The Fantastics come out pushing the pace, and this feels more like a straight up fight then a match, and there is no feeling out process to any degree. Rogers and Bill are actively brawling on the floor for a lot of the early going, while Fulton has Scott clearly on the defensive in the ring. Unluckily for the Fantastics, Bill manages to get the upper hand on Tommy on the floor, and hits Fulton running the ropes in the back of the head to gain control for the Riders.
The Riders make an interesting choice and try to keep the match more simple and start working over Fulton while Rogers gets to the corner to try to get the crowd fired up. But the Irwin’s are just giving Fulton very little room to breath, and hit him with a Lariat for a long 2. The crowd is really getting fired up, as Fulton keeps firing back, but Bill manages to send Bobby out of the ring and, distracts the ref long enough for Scott to hit a Swinging Neckbreaker on the floor, and Bobby looks out! Tommy checks on his partner briefly, and Fulton ends up barely beating the count. Bill makes the tag and senses the end, and starts to try to hook up Bobby for a Superplex, but Fulton fights him off, and Bill falls off the 2nd to the mat! This gives Fulton the time to finally make the tag to Rogers, and the crowd goes nuts!
Tommy is a house of fire, firing back on the Bill, and sending him packing. Even Scott trying to interject gets nowhere, as Rogers has the momentum fully on his side. He hits a big Dropkick sending Scott out of the ring while he’s trying to interject. Bill tries to take his moment, and whips Tommy off the ropes, but Bobby makes a blind tag. Irwin ends up trying for a reverse waist lot, Rogers runs to the ropes, and Fulton goes for the sunset flip, and it gets the three, as the crowd goes wild!
Winners via Pinfall in 21:17, and NEW AWA National Tag Team Champions, Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton, The Fantastics
...
AWA National Title Match with Special Referee Iceman King Parsons: Buzz Sawyer (c) vs. “Hacksaw” Butch Reed
Iceman is out first, and seems to be treating his role as referee incredibly seriously, wearing full gear. Reed seems to be partially distracted by everything, where as Sawyer just seems amused at the entire conflict his 2 enemies find themselves in. This starts out more slow then recent matches with the two. Butch seems like to be wrestling like he’s expected to be jumped from behind in the early going, and while Parsons does force some clean breaks, but it’s tense, while Sawyer just seems amused. Finally, Parsons went to break up a hold Reed had on Sawyer, and it leads to a staredown, but Sawyer takes advantage quickly with some hard strikes to take the momentum.
Buzz takes advantage, using his power to control Reed. Sawyer starts to take more and more liberties with the rules, and Parsons starts to get in Sawyers face, which just seems to amuse Sawyer. Parsons looks like he wants to deck Sawyer, at this point. Reed keeps finally gets some a moment to breath after a few moments of Sawyer actually being pulled out of the corner by Parsons, and Reed fires back with hard punches and a Lariat that gets a 2.
Sawyer and Reed basically forget about Parsons at this point, and this just becomes a bomb throwing contest. Reed hits a gigantic Lariat and gets a close near fall, and it looks like he is going to be able to finish him off. Reed go for an attack in the corner, but Sawyer pulls Iceman in the way to slow him down. Reed stops, and Sawyer attacks with a hard forearm, and throws Reed off the rope and hits a Powerslam! The cover
1........
2......
Reed’s foot goes onto the rope....
3!
Sawyer starts to celebrate, but before Parsons immediately notices that Reeds foot was on the ropes. He looks out to the crowd who are shouting and booing that Reed has made it before the Pinfall. Sawyer is raising his arm, and Parsons literally throws his arm down, and calls for the match to continue, as the crowd goes wild. Sawyer threatens to deck Parsons, but before he can, Reed hits the rope by him and hits a Jumping Lariat! Reed with the cover.
1.....
2.....
3!
Winner by Pinfall at 18:29, and NEW AWA National Heavyweight Champion: “Hacksaw” Butch Reed
Post Match, Sawyer jumps Parsons and starts trying to beat him down. Reed quickly makes the save, though Sawyer is answering back with shots of his own. He goes to whip Reed in for another Powerslam, but Reed counters. After he bounces back from the ropes, it’s straight into a Parsons Butt Bump! Reed and Parsons have a brief staredown, but shake each other’s hands, and Parsons raises Reeds hand to signify his victory.
...
AWA Great Lakes Heavyweight Title Match: Harley Race vs. “Wildfire” Tommy Rich
Rich seems pretty emotional going into the match, having spent so much time working Georgia and knowing this might be his last time working in the area. Race in the other hand has the feel of “been there done that” to him. That said, Wildfire is living up this nickname in this match and is brawling all over the ring and ringside area, having Race heavy on the defense through 5. However, Race is crafty, and when Rich is turned to get encouragement from the fans, Race shoves Race into the ring post to the gasps of the crowd. Rich can barely gets back in the ring at an 8 count, but he’s busted open.
From there Race has taken solid control from a beaten down Rich. Harley focuses on the head, with punches, stops, and some well aimed knee drops, and Rich is clearly in rough shape. However Wildfire still has a heart of a lion, and when Race tries to put him away with a Piledriver, Rich fights out, and turns the tables with hard shots, leading to a running forearm for a 2 count. Race rolls out to the ring, but Rich chases him down. In a crazy moment, Rich actually catches an unaware Race with a Thesz Press on the floor! Race is clearly feeling the hurt now, and struggles to make it into the ring at the 9 count, Rich wants to continue on offense, but the ref is worried Race might be in no condition to continue, as it appears he hit the back of his head on the floor, and is doing a check on him.
Rich is waiting it in in the corner, taking a breath and waiting for an all clear, when suddenly the Masked Superstar runs out to the ring, to Tommy’s blind side. And WHAM, Superstar hits him right in the head with a punch, that decks Wildfire. Superstar immediately clears the ringside area, appearing to be taking something off his hand in the process. Race finally returns to his feet, still holding the back of his head, but knows enough to take advantage of the opportunity. Race picks up Rich, who is now gushing blood, as the shot punch appears to have opened up the cut even further. Race wastes little time, and hits Rich with a Piledriver. Cover.... 1...........
2........
Kickout! Rich somehow kicked out of the Piledriver after the weapon shot! Race seems to be in disbelief, but quickly the shock turns to anger, and Harley gets vicious. His offense is now much more grainy, like scrapping at the cut with his forearm, with some sharp blows to the head with his elbow. Rich is just dripping blood now, with many female fans screaming at the image. Race even resorts to raking Rich’s forehead against his boot laces, and now there is blood all over the ring and the mat. The doctor at ringside is trying to get involved, but the ref gives Rich a chance to stand to defend himself. Rich achieves the feat, but keels over almost immediately, and the ref and doctor have seen enough, and call for the bell
Winner, at 22:40 via doctor stoppage from blood loss, and NEW AWA Great Lakes Heavyweight Champion: Harley Race
...
AWA World Title Match, Gary Hart Banned from Ringside: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Ted DiBiase
A very mixed crowd here early, as Hulk is beloved, but DiBiase is the man the fans at the Omni are more used to seeing, and it’s easy root for the home towner. DiBiase is a man of his word, and extends a hand to Hulk as the match gets going, and Hulk shakes it, which gets some applause from the crowd. In the early going it’s a match more focused around Hulks power vs. DiBiase’s craftiness, though Hogan’s power seems to be winning out. DiBiase has to go outside to regroup and get his focus back multiple times, leading one to wonder if he misses Gary Hart’s presence at ringside. Eventually DiBiase gets a little desperate, and when Hogan grabs DiBiase by the hair to drag him back in the ring, DiBiase drops Hulk throat first over the top rope, a move that gets some boos from the crowd.
DiBiase jumps on his opening, realizing an opportunity doesn’t come often against Hogan, and shifts his focus to grounding him. Multiple strikes, from stomps to fist drops, followed by more moves to ground Hogan and keep the wind out of him. DiBiase actually gets some power moves in as well, hitting a Vertical Suplex for a 2 count. Hogan isn’t the champ because of lack of heart though, and he seems to hit a second wind when DiBiase goes more high risk with a 2nd rope Knee Drop attempt misses. Hogan is firing up now, putting real pressure on DiBiase with strikes that has Ted covering up. DiBiase is doing a decent job weathering the storm, and even ducks under an Axe Bomber attempt. However DiBiase runs the ropes behind Hogan after the miss, only to run into a Hogan Big Boot! Thankfully for Ted, he manages to roll out of the ring before Hogan can hit the Legdrop.
DiBiase gets up at 6, and takes a second to revaluate before heading back in the ring. It seems a DiBiase has either changed his strategy or just gotten desperate, because as he gets in, he goes after Hogan aggressively, really pushing the tempo. Hogan actually seems moderately caught off guard at DiBiase throwing dropkicks and hitting him with flurries of strikes in the corner, and it feels like Ted has really kept the momentum swung his way, and tries lifting Hogan up for an Over Shoulder Powerslam, but Hogan strikes him off. Ted throws some more strikes to stagger Hogan, and hits the ropes to hit a bigger one. Hogan puts up the Boot, but DiBiase was prepared for that, and ducks under, and when Hogan turns, DiBiase lifts him for a Powerslam again, but Hogan slides out the back, and shoves DiBiase forward... straight into the referee in the corner, who gets sandwiched. DiBiase seems alarmed, and tries to check on the ref, not wanting to lose his title opportunity to Disqualification, but the ref seems out. DiBiase turns and WHAM! Hogan was ready in wait with the Axe Bomber! The impact takes DiBiase to the outside, face down, as Hogan seems to just now realize the referee is out, and goes to check on him. The crowd starts yelling at Hulk in warning, which he hears in time to turn around straight into...
JERRY BLACKWELL
Hogan is shocked, but immediately is ready to fight with the Crusher. Both men are appearing ready to throw down when the crowd starts trying to warn Hulk again, but he’s not quick enough to stop...
KEN PATERA
And Patera catches Hogan off guard by going straight for the Full Nelson. Hulk tries to fight it off, but is rapidly also overwhelmed by punches from Blackwell, which let’s Patera fully apply the hold. He’s swinging Hogan heavily, and Blackwell is adding extra punishment with additional punches, and Hogan starts to fall limp. Patera literally rides the Full Nelson all the way to the ground with Hogan face down, he lets go, only for Blackwell to hit a running splash on Hogan’s back as well! The crowd boo mercilessly, and trash is starting to hit the ring. Patera and Blackwell, seemingly happy with the damage they’ve done, start to leave the ring as the ref starts to stir.
At this point, DiBiase is starting to emerge from the floor, and slides into the ring slowly. Miraculously, Hulk is starting to make his way to his feet as DiBiase is, as the ref is starting to shake out the cob webs. DiBiase starts throwing shakes strikes, with Hogan offering little resistance. DiBiase goes for a big running forearm again, and Hulk tries to get up the Big Boot up, but his back is just too beat up. DiBiase stopped in the middle to try to avoid the Boot, but quickly reacts, lifting Hulk up for the big Powerslam... and hits it! He covers
1......
2.........
........3!
DiBiase has done it!
Your Winner, via Pinfall at 21:57, and NEW AWA World Heavyweight Champion, Ted DiBiase
DiBiase is over the moon celebrating, but the crowd in Georgia seems incensed. Trash is now being pelted into the ring, which seems to confuse DiBiase. After celebrating with his title, he goes to seemingly help Hogan to his feet, but Hogan shrugs him off, clearly beyond upset. DiBiase let’s this go, and after Hogan stands, extends his hand. This seems to anger Hogan further, as starts throwing rights quickly to escape the assault. DiBiase looks at Hulk angrily, while Hulk yells out calling Ted a cheat, as the show comes to an end...