International Wrestling, Quebec City 11/12/87: Martel & more

[thecommish]

International Wrestling
11/11/1987
Colisée de Québec
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Referees: Andy DePaul, Allan Pinfold and Tim White
Ring Announcer: Milt Avruskin



Milt Avruskin: ‘Wrestling fans, we are happy to announce to you tonight that International Wrestling will be returning to TV on CTV beginning on Saturday, November 13. The legendary Edouard Carpentier will join us on CTV to make a major announcement about the International Heavyweight Champion. Also - they’re known all over the world - the Fabulous Freebirds will be arriving in International Wrestling! Join us tomorrow on CTV from the Paul Sauve Centre and enjoy this incredible night of action!’


Ronnie Garvin vs. Frenchy Martin



Two veterans of Eastern Canadian wrestling start off the night, and it’s a mixed reception for the Man with the Hands of Stone. Fans no doubt remember his brutal feud with the Roueagus a few years back, but Garvin plays it straight here and waves to the crowd. Martin pulls his usual tricks and nearly scores a fall with a stomach-breaker. However, Ronnie Garvin connects with the knockout punch and then the Garvin Stomp for the win.


Winner: Ronnie Garvin


Rocky Della Serra, Bulldog Bob Brown and Kerry Brown vs. Angel of Death, Kamala and One Man Gang (w/ Eddie ‘The Brain’ Creatchman)
        


Eddie Creatchman is back in International Wrestling to cause all sorts of trouble with the monstrous Kamala, the One Man Gang and the Angel of Death. The monsters dominate this one, with each of them getting a good chance to maul their opponents. Kamala comes off the ropes with the big splash across the back of Della Serra, but has to be coaxed by Creatchman and One Man Gang to turn him over for the easy pin.


The Browns try to help the fallen Rocky Della Serra after the match, only to be mauled by this trio of monsters for their trouble. Angel of Death connects with the heart punch on Bulldog Brown, while One Man Gang squashes Kerry Brown in the corner and then connects with the 747. This brutal attack continues until all three Rougeau Brothers, Rick Martel and Dino Bravo hit the ring with chairs to run them off.


Winners: Angel of Death, Kamala and One Man Gang


Bob Orton Jr. vs Jacques Rougeau



A battle of second generation wrestlers here, and you have to believe both will be in contention for the International Heavyweight Title. Orton takes a bit to get going, but once he clicks he has Rougeau in serious trouble. Orton goes for the superplex, but is shoved off the top rope and hits the canvas with a thud. Jacques comes off the top with his patented elbow drop to score the three count. What an impressive win for Jacques Rougeau!


Winner: Jacques Rougeau


International Tag Team Championship
The Rougeau Brothers (c) vs. Sheik Ali and Moondog Sailor White

        

Armand and Raymond Rougeau have their hands full here with the very dangerous combination of the Sheik and the Moondog. Armand is double-teamed for a good portion of the match as Sheik Ali and Sailor White tear at his forehead and draw blood. However, Armanda is finallu able to duck a double clothesline attempt and leap into his corner after taking abuse for the better part of 10 minutes.


Big brother Raymond tags in and connects with big right hands on both opponents. Sheik Ali charges, but ends up being back-dropped to the canvas. Raymond connects with a knee-breaker and then locks in the Figure Four Leglock. When Sailor White stumbles back in to break up the hold, he’s stopped by a dropkick by the bloodied Armand. Sheik Ali eventually submits, giving the Rougeau Brothers a hard fought win.


Winners: International Tag Team Champions The Rougeau Brothers


INTERMISSION


Rick Martel vs. Steve Strong



The musclebound Strong does his posing before the bell, only for Martel to dropkick him across the back and send him sprawling to the floor. A furious Strong storms the ring and goes straight for the former AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Martel does a good job striking and dodging, until Strong connects with a big lariat off the ropes.

The ever-cocky Steve Strong spends a lot of time posing as he stomps on Martel and then drops a big leaping leg drop across the chest. Strong flexes yet again and then goes for another leg drop, but this time Rick Martel rolls out of the way. Strong scurries to the floor to regroup, with Martel following him to brawl. These two ignore referee Andy Depaul’s count and are counted out. This don’t stop the brawl as Rick Martel and Steve Strong fight all the way to the dressing room.


Winner: Double Count-Out


10-Man Battle Royal: Winner Receives C$1000

The participants here are the spry Australian ‘Superstar’ Bill Dundee, Wild Bill Irwin and his Long Rider partner Bull Johnson, Phil Lafon, Gino Brito Jr., Hercules Ayala, The Spoiler, Alexis Smirnoff, Steve Simpson and Shaun Simpson. The final four comes down to the Long Riders, Hercules Ayala and Phil Lafon. Irwin and Johnson connect with a big boot on Lafon and then double-team Ayala. Hercules fights back and manages to dump Bull Johnson with a big shoulder block that carries him over the top rope. However, Bill Irwin has that cowbell and drills Ayala across the back of the head and then dumps him.

Wild Bill Irwin is measuring Phil Lafon with that cowbell now too, only for Lafon to dropkick it out of his hand. A furious Irwin tries to wrangle Lafon while the quick youngster dodges him. However, Bull Johnson grabs Lafon’s foot from the floor and that allows Irwin to drill him with a lariat and send him over the top rope. Will Bill Irwin steals the win this battle royal with the help of his Long Riders partner Bull Johnson and collects the C$1000 prize.



Winner: Wild Bill Irwin


Main Event: Canadian Heavyweight Title
Dino Bravo (c) vs. Crusher Blackwell



The fans in Quebec City know the massive Blackwell from his many appearances in Eastern Canada with the AWA over the years. He’s obviously a huge test for the Canadian Heavyweight Champion, who is on his game and ready for war. When Blackwell goes for a big splash in the corner, Bravo moves. Crusher Blackwell collides into the corner with a full head of steam, and is primed to be scooped up for a hugely impressive body-slam from Bravo! A flustered Blackwell stumbles up, only to get caught in a belly-to-belly-suplex! Bravo with the cover and the three count - he retains the Canadian Heavyweight Title.


Winner: Canadian Heavyweight Champion Dino Bravo



Milt Avruskin: 'Thank you so much coming, fans! Join us tomorrow night on CTV, where we'll have a major announcement about the International Heavyweight Title and the Eastern Canadian debut of the Fabulous Freebirds! All this and more from the Paul Sauve Centre! Don't miss it - be there!'

[tlyne]

Great show. In the territory draft, I really wanted to take International, but when World Class fell to me I couldn't pass it up. I'm excited to see Montreal on our group. You have a nice mix of Québécois, and other stars. The Freebirds should be a great addition. I am looking forward to more shows. Also, I always thought Milt Avruskin was a pretty good announcer.

[thecommish]

Thanks! I liked Milt a lot too - he knew when to bring the intensity.

[tlyne]

If you want some backstory with the Freebirds, when we started this, my six man tag champions were Sailor White Mad Dog Lefebvre and Frenchy Martin. The story was the Freebirds had taken the title to Montreal, and lost it. Then the Canadiens brought it back to World Class.

[thecommish]

Awesome, thank you!