IWA SUPER JUNIORS '88: A NEW CHAMPION IS CROWNED!!!!
Mar 3, 2017 18:02:26 GMT
Post by thecommish on Mar 3, 2017 18:02:26 GMT
International Wrestling Association presents:
SUPER JUNIORS ‘88
Taped: Saturday, February 25, 1988 in Los Angeles, CA
Airing: Sunday, February 26, 1988 on FNN in the US
Announcers: Eric Bischoff and
Interviewer: Chris Cruise
VTR of the Super Juniors ‘88 opening round set to:
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Eric Bischoff: Hello and welcome to the Super Juniors ‘88 extravaganza! Three hours of the best junior heavyweights, light heavyweights and cruiserweights from all over the world with limited commercial interruptions. Tonight, we will crown the International Jr. Heavyweight Champion here in the home of the IWA, Los Angeles! Now, I’m supposed to have a broadcast partner here tonight, but he’s nowhere to be found.
Magnificent Mimi arrives at the broadcast desk and gets some cat-calls from the live crowd.
Eric Bischoff: Magnificent Mimi, you said you’ve have someone called the Magnificent Mr. M here tonight to call the show with me. Where is he? Does he actually exist?
Magnificent Mimi: Oh Eric, he exists and here’s here tonight. I told you that the era of Maximum Magnificence will sweep the International Wrestling Association. You’ve already seen what my Magnificent Malenkos can do. Now, feast your eyes on…
‘THE MAGNIFICENT’ DON MURACO!
The Scorpions usher Don Muraco into the Sports Arena to a huge amount of boos - fans haven’t forgotten all of the nasty things he’s done over the years.
Eric Bischoff: I have to admit, Magnificent Mimi truly has added one of the biggest superstars in the world of professional wrestling to his stable!
Don Muraco: That’s exactly right, Mr. TV Announcer. The Magnificent One is here in Lipstick City, my home away from home and the people love me! I’m here tonight to carry this show, so don’t worry, I’ll do all of the heavy lifting!
Eric Bischoff: I’m almost missing Scotty the Body. Fans, let’s take a look the current standings of the Super Juniors ‘88 tournament - remember fans, we will crown a winner here tonight:
SUPER JUNIORS ‘88:
Flyin’ Brian V Joe Malenko
Tiger Mask II V Dan Kroffat
Chris Benoit V El Hijo Del Santo
Scotty the Body V Dean Malenko
Flyin’ Brian V Joe Malenko
Tiger Mask II V Dan Kroffat
Chris Benoit V El Hijo Del Santo
Scotty the Body V Dean Malenko
Don Muraco: The era of Maximum Magnificence has begun here in the International Wrestling Association. I guarantee you one of the Malenkos will win this tournament!
Eric Bischoff: Let’s find out - the first match is ready in the ring!
Match one - Super Juniors ‘88 tournament
Flyin’ Brian v Joe Malenko w/ Magnificent Mimi
Flyin' Brian uses his speed to keep the momentum on his side early on, but Malenko slows things down by taking Pillman down to the canvas. Malenko applies a Fujiawara armbar and it looks like Flyin' Brian might be ready to submit, but he reaches out with every last gasp of strength and hooks his right foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Flyin' Brian then made his big comeback and levied Malenko with a running cross-body. Flyin’ Brian scales the top rope and comes off with Air Pillman for the one… two… three! A big win for the former NFL star.
Winner Flyin’ Brian via pinfall @ 7:01
Eric Bischoff: Well, not a great start for the era of Maximum Magnificence!
Don Muraco: Flyin’ Brian hooked the tights! Are you blind, Bischoff?
Eric Bischoff: Fans, we’ll be right back!
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commercial break
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Eric Bischoff: We’re back here for this big IWA TV special on FNN. Fans, stay tuned because you will not want to miss this video package we have later on from Rick Martel.
Don Muraco: Now, Rick Martel, there’s someone who’s not a cheater like Flyin’ Brian. He’s not Magnificent, but he’s close!
Eric Bischoff: How humble of you! Fans, let’s get back to the action.
Match two - Super Juniors ‘88 tournament
Tiger Mask II vs. Dan Kroffat
There’s a contingent surrounding the ring for this one - Tiger Mask II has Rollerball Rocco and Black Tiger in his corner while Dan Kroffat has Liger and his newfound ally Doug Furnas on his side. One the bell rings, Kroffat connects with a few kicks and then shoots Tiger Mask off the ropes for a big back body drop. Dan Kroffat now comes off the ropes with a running knee to the forehead and then pulls Tiger into the Northern Lights suplex. Kroffat covers, but Tiger is able to kick out. Dan Kroffat comes off the ropes, but Black Tiger trips him up on the outside.
Liger jumps on the apron to alert the referee to what happened as Dan Kroffat and Tiger Mask stumble to their feet. Liger is protesting Black Tiger interfering, but Tiger Mask wanders over and shoves him! Liger tries to enter the ring, while Doug Furnas jumps on the apron to hold him back. From behind, Black Tiger fouls Kroffat from behind, which leads Kroffat into a Tiger Suplex from Tiger Mask. The masked man makes the cover and referee James Beard make the three count! The Sons of the Tiger steal a win here to allow Tiger Mask II to advance in the tournament.
Winner Tiger Mask II by pinfall @ 8:18
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Eric Bischoff: Now we have our first semi-final match - Flyin’ Brian will be squaring off against Tiger Mask II. That one should be a classic!
Don Muraco: Tiger Mask II will need Rocco and Black Tiger in his corner to stop Flyin’ Brian from pulling a fast one. Consider this fair warning, guys!
Match three - Super Juniors ‘88 tournament
El Hijo Del Santo vs. Chris Benoit
This one pits one of Canada’s most promising young wrestlers against the son of Mexico’s greatest luchador El Santo - a very popular young luchador among the Mexican-American community here at the Sports Arena. Chris Benoit has his game face and he really goes to town on El Hijo Del Santo early on. Santo won’t stay down and is able to kick out of numerous suplex attempts by Chris Benoit.
El Hijo Del Santo goes up top and flies off with the senton, but Benoit rolls away at the last second. Benoit gathers himself as El Hijo Del Santo pulls himself to his feet, then kicks Santo in the gut and lays him out with belly-to-back suplex and bridges it into a pin for the three count.
Winner Chris Benoit by pinfall @ 6:22
Don Muraco: I’ll hand it to both of them - two great athletes. Maybe someday they’ll be Magnificent!
Eric Bischoff: We’ll be back!
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Eric Bischoff: Well, here we go, Don. Your fellow Maximum Magnificence member Dean Malenko will be squaring off against Scotty the Body.
Don Muraco: I have a lot of respect for Scotty. He keeps you in line, Bischoff - and that’s not easy work! Unfortunately, he drew the short straw and has to face the Iceman.
Match four - Super Juniors ‘88 tournament
Dean Malenko w/ Magnificent Mimi vs. Scotty the Body
Scotty stalls in the opening moments as Dean Malenko deadpans him from across the ring. Once they finally lock up, Scotty immediately pulls away and claims his arm is injured. Dean Malenko just stares at Scotty as he feigns injury, then Scotty tells the referee he can’t continue! Oh come one! Scotty is submitting this match and the referee has no choice but to call for the bell. Dean Malenko isn’t amused and goes to make a move on Scotty anyway, but Magnificent Mimi steps in between them and raises Malenko’s hand in victory. Scotty walks to the back trying to shake off his (fake) injury.
Winner Dean Malenko by submission @ 0.56
Eric Bischoff: What a ridiculous turn of events that was! It seems to me that Scotty was afraid of having to face Dean Malenko.
Don Muraco: The man was hurt - what did you expect him to do? There’s no reason for an injured man to step into the ring, especially against the best pure wrestler in the sport today.
Eric Bischoff: I don’t think anyone’s buying that Scotty was actually injured. Fans, we’ll be back with a very, umm, special look at Rick Martel!
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commercial break
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[VTR]
The VTR opens with Rick Martel preening on Venice Beach posing as various photographers take pictures of him. He shoos them off after striking a few poses.
Rick Martel: Everyone knows that Rick Martel is the greatest wrestler in the world today. However, the world shouldn’t just know me for my braun, they should understand my beauty! Look at me, you have to admit I’m much better looking than you… or anyone you know!
Two gorgeous women arrive to flank both sides of Rick Martel as the photographers return to snap pictures of the three of them posing on the beach. We cut to Martel toweling off after a dip in the Ocean.
Rick Martel: When you have a face like mine, you have to protect it. So I’m petitioning the International Wrestling Association to make it illegal for my opponents to strike my beautiful face! After all, I AM a Model and this face must be protected!
The VTR closes out with Martel picking up his atomizer and spraying it all around him.
[End VTR]
Eric Bischoff: I don’t quite know what to say about Rick Martel these days.
Don Muraco: That’s Rick ‘The Model’ Martel, show him the proper respect Bischoff!
Eric Bischoff: Let’s shift gears here and take a look at one of the most promising teams in the sport. This will be their debut here in the IWA but they’ve wrestled and won titles on the West Coast in the past - it’s the Steiner Brothers!
Match five -
Steiner Brothers vs. Ben Bassarab and Pierre Carl Oulette
This match is definitely a showcase for the Steiners, but Bassarab and Oulette show some promise as well. The two young Canadians work well together as a team, but Rick and Scott Steiner are just too impressive to stop. The finish sees Scott shoot Oulette off the ropes and connect with the impressive Frankensteiner! Scotty Steiner makes the cover for the three count!
Winners Rick and Scott Steiner by pinfall @ 3:13
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Eric Bischoff: The Steiners are one of the teams of the future. If I were the Fabulous Rougeaus, I’d be VERY nervous to step into the ring with Scotty and the Dog-Faced Gremlin.
Don Muraco: They’re good, I’ll admit that. But the Malenkos are the best brother tag team in professional wrestling.
Match six - Super Junior ‘88 tournament
Flyin’ Brian vs. Tiger Mask II
Flyin' Brian was all over Tiger Mask in the opening moments, lighting him up with a belly-to-belly suplex and then a leaping bulldog. Pillman is perhaps a bit too fired up as he whips Tiger into corner and then climbs the turnbuckle for ten shots to the head. Pillman had to be pulled away by referee James Beard and this allowed Tiger Mask to recover and grab Pillman from behind. Tiger threw Pillman at the turnbuckle so hard that Flyin' Brian elevated and bashed his head on the ring pole!
Pillman slumped backwards, but Tiger was there to scoop him up and plant him with a double-underhook suplex for a two count. Rollerball Rocco and Black Tiger rally Tiger Mask as he hits the ropes and connects with a running kick to the forehead. Tiger Mask II with the cover, but Flyin’ Brian kicks out. Now Rocco is calling over James Beard and he’s trying to distract the referee. It’s not long before Dan Kroffat and Doug Furnas storm down to the ring and chase both Rocco and Black Tiger away.
In the ring, a befuddled Tiger Mask tries to pick up the pieces and put Flyin’ Brian away with the belly-to-back release suplex - but stunningly Pillman lands on his feet and then delivers a dead-on dropkick to the back of Tiger’s head! Flyin’ Brian goes up top here and comes off with a flying sunset flip for the one… two… three! Flyin’ Brian has done it! He’s made it to the Super Juniors ‘88 finals!
Winner Flyin’ Brian by pinfall @ 10:24
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Chris Cruise is standing by with Bruce Hart and Owen Hart.
Chris Cruise: Joining me now are the oldest and the youngest Hart brothers respectively - Bruce and Owen Hart. I’m sure it was a great moment to see your Flyin’ Brian get this big win.
Owen Hart: Brian is like family to the Harts! I think he’s going to go all the way.
Chris Cruise: Gentleman, I have to ask you about these attacks that have been carrying on for over a month now. We’ve seen this masked man target you - specifically you, Bruce - multiple times.
Owen Hart: I can answer this - my brother Bruce has been the victim of sneak attacks. I want to say something to this masked man. I don’t care who you are - show up next week on Wrestling Warriors and face us man-to-man. I’m ready for a fight!
Bruce Hart: You’re not alone, Owen! I made a call to New York. That’s right, I just off the phone with my brother Bret. He’s seen what’s been going on and he is just as sick of it as I am. So, next week, my brother Bret and my brother-in-law the Anvil will be on Wrestling Warriors at the Olympic Auditorium right here in Los Angeles. If this masked man has a problem with the Harts, we’ll be ready and waiting.
Chris Cruise: Huge news! The excellence of execution Bret 'Hitman' Hart and 'The Anvil' Jim Neidhart will be on Wrestling Warriors next week to settle family business!
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Eric Bischoff: You heard that announcement before the break! Bret Hart and Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart are coming to Wrestling Warriors to get to the bottom of these mystery sneak attacks.
Don Muraco: I used to have a lot of respect for the Hitman and the Anvil when they were busting heads up North. I thought they’d got away from Bret’s sissy brothers - I guess not!
Eric Bischoff: Sissy brothers - are you kidding me? In any event, let’s get back to the ring to close out the semi-finals of the Super Juniors tournament.
Match seven - Super Junior ‘88 tournament
Chris Benoit vs. Dean Malenko w/ Magnificent Mimi
These two are both mat technicians and it starts out with a lock-up. Benoit manages to maneuver behind Malenko and connects with a back suplex right away. Chris Benoit is now stalking Dean as the Iceman tries to get up. Benoit looks ready to pounce here. Dean skids up just in time and sends Chris Benoit sprawling with a dropkick to the chest. Dean comes off the ropes with a running clothesline, but Benoit is able to level him in the stomach with forearm strike. Benoit sends Dean Malenko across the ring, Dean goes crashes into the opposite turnbuckle and slumps down onto the canvas. Benoit is over and then begins choking the life out of Dean with his boot, earning several warnings from Mickie Jay. We’re certainly seeing a more aggressive side to Benoit here!
Chris Benoit picks up Dean Malenko and goes to snap suplex him into the center of the ring, but Malenko puts on the breaks and turns the move into a spinning neckbreaker! Malenko gets back to his feet and grabs Benoit, only to plant him in a back-breaker. Dean makes the cover, but Benoit is able to kick out at two! Dean lands several elbow drops to the back and even applies a sleeper, but eventually releases the hold when Chris Benoit refuses to submit! Dean Malenko pulls Benoit into the center of the ring and applies a side headlock, but Chris Benoit fights his way back to his feet and delivers a series of elbows to Dean Malenko’s midsection.
Chris Benoit manages to shoot Malenko off the ropes and he comes back at Dean with a running headbutt! Benoit is right there with the cover, but Dean is able to kick out again! Benoit is now going for the belly-to-belly suplex, but Dean puts on the break! He uses all his strength to propel both men backwards and crashing into the corner. This time, they both are slow to get back to their feet, but when they do, Benoit regains the advantage with a shot to the stomach.
Chris Benoit is able to connect with a butterfly suplex and bridges it into a cover, but Dean is somehow able to kick out at the last second again! Chris Benoit pulls Malenko to his feet and doubles the Iceman with a shot to the gut, and then he hits the ropes. Dean ducks a clothesline attempt, slips behind and levels Benoit with the belly-to-back release suplex. Malenko holds on and connects with another. The Iceman keeps that grip, but this time slides around… and he locks in the STF!
The Iceman has the STF submission locked in here, but Chris Benoit is fighting! Malenko continues to wrench further back on the hold - leaving Benoit’s body to contort like a pretzel. Benoit uses his last bit of strength to roll over and the hold is broken! Chris Benoit is trying to use the ropes to pull himself up, but there’s Malenko again to grab hook the waist, pop the hips and drill him with a third belly-to-back suplex! Malenko bridges it into a cover for the one… two… three! Benoit kicks out - but it’s a second too late! It was the match of the night for sure - and Dean Malenko earns his spot in the Super Juniors ‘88 finals against Flyin’ Brian!
Winner Dean Malenko via pinfall @ 13:06
Eric Bischoff: An incredible match - and credit where it’s due, an incredible win for Dean Malenko! The question is whether he has enough left in the tank to defeat Flyin’ Brian in the finals.
Don Muraco: Of course he does! Dean Malenko is a wrestling machine - you are looking at the next International Jr. Heavyweight Champion!
Eric Bischoff: We’ll be right back with the World Heavyweight Title match.
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Eric Bischoff: Fans we had a war earlier tonight before we came on air in what was supposed to be a singles match between Dan Spivey and Stan Hansen. However, it turned out very differently. Let’s take a look.
[VTR]
Earlier tonight…
Hansen and Spivey are circling each other… and then ‘Freebird’ begins playing over the PA! Hold the phone - storming down to the ring is Terry Gordy! We haven’t seen him in a few weeks but Gordy is back and he’s turning this into a Triangle Match!
-- CUT TO --
… Stan Hansen lets out a ‘EUUUUUUUUUUUUW’ as he hits the ropes with a head of steam and goes for the Western Lariat, but Spivey ducks it! A bewildered Hansen spins around, gets a boot to the gut and a Spivey Spike! Spivey pops back up with the sick grin, but Gordy is back in the ring and levels him with a clothesline. Gordy scoops up Spivey, he takes off running and plants him with the Bamm Bamm Slam… right on top of Stan Hansen! Gordy stays on top of both Spivey and Hansen for the one… two… three! Terry Gordy just took down both Stan Hansen and Dan Spivey! Bamm Bamm is back, and he makes the motion - he wants the IWA World Heavyweight Title!
[End VTR]
Eric Bischoff: I’ve never seen anything like that fans - Terry Gordy is an absolute beast!
Don Muraco: Gordy is a tough individual, there’s no doubt about that. I think I could beat him, but there’s no doubt he’s a bad dude.
Eric Bischoff: Speaking of bad dudes, we’re about to see two more face off… this time for the IWA World Heavyweight Championship as Bad News Allen defends against ‘King Kong’ Bruiser Brody.
Match eight - IWA World Heavyweight Championship
Bad News Allen (c) vs. Bruiser Brody
You know what this would have looked like - lots of brawling all round the ringside area. Brody grabs a chair and does some serious damage, but Allen fights back. In the end, Bruiser Brody misses a flying knee drop off the top rope. As Brody limps back to his feet, Bad News connects with the Ghetto Blaster! Brody crumbles face-first into the steel chair, allowing Bad News to make the cover for the three count! A huge win here for Bad News Allen over the legendary King Kong Brody!
Winner IWA World Heavyweight Champion Bad News Allen via pinfall @ 8:18
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Eric Bischoff: It’s all come down to this, fans. Four weeks of incredible actions lead up to the Super Juniors ‘88 finals. It’s Dean Malenko against Flyin’ Brian - winner becomes the International Junior Heavyweight Champion!
Don Muraco: I’d like to congratulate Dean Malenko in advance.
Match nine - Super Juniors ‘88 finals
Dean Malenko w/ Magnificent Mimi vs. Flyin’ Brian
These two incredible athletes meet in the middle of the ring. There’s ice running through Dean Malenko’s veins as usual as Flyin’ Brian attempts to trash talk him. Pillman makes a bit of mistake gesturing towards the Magnificent Mimi because it allows Malenko to knee him in the gut. Dean Malenko measures him up and then drives a knee into Pillman’s throat and holds it there for several seconds, before referee James Beard makes him break the hold. Malenko then spends a few minutes attacking Pillman’s throat and the Iceman seems to very methodical in his strategy as we get into this grand finale of the Super Juniors ‘88 tournament! Dean Malenko applies a headlock to Pillman and really wrenches back on it. At a few points, it looks as if Malenko adjusts the move in order to choke Brian Pillman.
The referee tries to catch him in the act, but he manages to readjust the move just before Beard checks on several occasions. Malenko releases the hold and sends Pillman into the corner and follows up with a running leg lariat! Dean Malenko then moves Pillman up to the top rope and attempts a super-belly-to-belly suplex, but Pillman knocks him back several times. Malenko then strikes Pillman in the throat and is able to superplex Pillman off the top rope and both men go crashing down to the canvas!
Neither is stirring right away, but Malenko is able to put his arm over the chest. Referee James Beard makes the count and we get one-two-no! Flyin’ Brian is still alive here! Both men are down momentarily after the pin, but they are able manage to make their way back to their feet and they trade rights and lefts. Malenko ducks a right and then nails a dropkick that sends Pillman sprawling. Malenko then belly-to-belly suplexes Pillman and goes for a cover, but Pillman is out again!
Dean Malenko goes up to the second rope and measures Pillman for something here, but Pillman gets to his feet while Malenko is getting to position. Malenko tries to go for a splash instead, but Pillman moves out of the way! Iceman knocked the wind out of himself and he’s gasping for breath here!
Pillman catches him right away with a leaping DDT for another very close two count. The Iceman can barely get back to his feet, but Pillman is over, only for Iceman to take a short cut. Malenko nails Pillman with an elbow to the low midsection - possibly too low - and then tosses him through the ropes to the outside. Mimi rushes off over to comfort The Iceman as he takes a breather while Flyin’ Brian pulls himself up and rolls back into the ring.
Malenko tries to pounce right away, but gets a back-hand chop to the chest that sends him sprawling. Pillman now seems to be a man possessed in applying a leg lock, that he steps over and now he has Malenko in the Iceman’s own STF! What a turn of events here, we could be on the verge of seeing Dean Malenko submit to his very own specialty submission hold. Malenko is trying to roll over, but he can’t get the moment! Is it over here?
Malenko flails around on the canvas... and eventually he is able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold! That was so close, fans! Both are slow to their feet at this point, but Pillman lands a right hand! Another! Another! Pillman winds up and goes for a fourth, but Malenko ducks out of the way and he goes for a lariat! But Pillman grabs the arm! Brian spins Dean around and levels Iceman with a high-impact clothesline of his own! Malenko does a 360-degrees bump as Pillman gets back to his feet. Flyin’ Brian feels the momentum shifting in his direction!
However, Magnificent Mimi is on the apron now and she’s shouting at Pillman! Flyin’ Brian is looking over at Mimi and barking at James Beard to get her off the apron. Now it’s Bruce Hart out! The eldest Hart brother climbs on the apron and begins arguing with Magnificent Mimi. He’s ordering Mimi off the apron here. In the ring, Dean Malenko dropkicks Pillman in the back and sends him crashing into Bruce Hart! Bruce flies off the apron down the floor after smacking heads with Flyin’ Brian!
Dean Malenko rolls up Flyin’ Brian here and he’s gonna steal the win! James Beard makes the count for the one-two-thre-NO! NO! NO! Pillman got the shoulder up! However, Flyin’ Brian is groggy after that head-to-head with Bruce and is easy prey as Malenko boots him the gut and plants him with a gutwrench suplex. Malenko with another cover for the one-two-thre-NO! NO! NO! Pillman’s out again! Unbelievable! The Iceman shows a flicker of frustration, before viciously snapping into action, pulling Flyin’ Brian in and lifting him into… the brainbuster! Another of Malenko’s deadly finishers!
Dean Malenko with the cover and hooks the leg for the one-two-three! This time he got ‘em! Dean Malenko wins the Super Juniors ‘88 tournament and is the brand new International Jr. Heavyweight Champion! Don Muraco leaves the announce booth and goes to celebrate with Magnificent Mimi. Joe Malenko is on the side too and pats his brother on the back, but the Iceman is stone-faced as Mimi straps that title belt around his waist!
Owen Hart and Chris Benoit are at ringside now as well. Owen rushes to his brother, while Benoit looks back at them before diving into the ring to check on Pillman. No doubt this was an incredible win for Dean Malenko, but Flyin’ Brian certainly has a right to be upset over this turn of events!
Winner New International Jr. Heavyweight Dean Malenko via pinfall @ 14:09
Eric Bischoff: What an unbelievable night, fans! We hope to speak with the brand new International Jr. Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko next weekend on Wrestling Warriors! Don’t forget - we’ll also have Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart and Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart in the house at the Olympic and I expect trouble! We’ll see you next week!
© 1988, IWA
Working on it now.