Power Pro Wrestling 5/13/88: Harley Race makes a statement
May 13, 2017 18:54:04 GMT
Post by thecommish on May 13, 2017 18:54:04 GMT
Power Pro Wrestling TV - Windy City Wrestling
The Hottest action in Professional Wrestling Today!
EPISODE #5
Taped: 5/11/1988
Airing: 5/13/1988
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VTR: LAST SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE BRUISER BEDLAM
Look at Muraco now- he’s going to town on Gordy’s injured neck and this time he’s doing it with malice. Muraco lays Gordy out and then drives a leaping elbow smash into the back of the neck! And now a second one! A third! A fourth! A fifth! Terry Gordy is in serious trouble here and now it’s Muraco calling for the end.
Magnificent Muraco scoops up Gordy and it looks like he’s going for the reverse piledriver, but Bamm Bamm gets out of the back. Muraco stumbles around and Gordy boots him in the gut. The United States Champion pulls Muraco in, hoists him up and, oh my goodness, he hits the power-bomb on Muraco! Terry Gordy with the cover for the one-two-three! Gordy retains the United States Championship in a grueling match with the Magnificent Muraco!
END VTR
VTR: WELCOME TO POWER PRO WRESTLING
Henry Crown Fieldhouse - Chicago, IL
This week’s episode of Power Pro Wrestling opened up with Gordon Solie and Joel Watts recapping the events of the Bruiser Bedlam last Sunday. Mr. Solie announces that coming on June 4 at the International Amphitheatre will be Clash of the Titans - more on that event later. Mr. Solie also reveals that the promotion quite an announcement to make, and for that he calls to the podium matchmaker Ken Mantell.
Mr. Mantell shakes hands with both Gordon Solie and Joel Watts, and speaks for amount about the huge enthusiasm for this promotion since its inception. Cities from all over the Mid-West, the Mid-South and the Southeast have been ringing his office around the clock asking to bring the stars of Power Pro Wrestling to their town. Mr. Mantell has been speaking with these promotions and he’s happy to announce that, beginning on June 10, the promotion will be expanding its touring and television reach starting with the new 'The Power Hour'.
The promotion has been working and will continue to work with TV affiliates all throughout the Mid-West, the Mid-South and the Southeast to bring Power Pro Wrestling to them as of that June 10 date. Mr. Solie questions Ken Mantell on exactly what this means for the Windy City Wrestling show. Mr. Mantell announces that Windy City Wrestling will continue to air each week just as it has for the last few months. Power Pro Wrestling will just be adding a second show for a wider audience called The Power Hour.
Mr. Mantell mentions that with this expansion will come a slight change to the name of our championship belts. Since the scope of the promotion will be wider than just the Windy City now, the championship committee has simply decided to make a few cosmetic changes. Terry Gordy is now recognised as the PPW Heavyweight Champion, Shane Douglas is the PPW TV Champion and Death and Destruction are the PPW Tag Team Champions. There will be no stripping anyone of the belts, no tournaments - just a slight change to the name of the titles to relfect this wider scope. Mr. Mantell hopes this news will be exciting for fans and looks forward to delivering more big news about the upcoming Clash of the Titans card at the International Amphitheater. Gordon Solie and Joel Watts thank Ken Mantell for delivering this exciting announcement and then send us up to the ring. We’ll be back after this short break.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
Includes an inset promo from Freddie Miller announcing Clash of the Titans coming to the International Amphitheatre on Sunday, June 4, 1988. Get your tickets now at the International Amphitheatre box office before they sell out! More details on the line-up later in this hour. Don’t miss it, be there!
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Power Pro Wrestling returned with Paul E. Dangerously standing by on the set of the Danger Zone along with his enforcer Hercules Hernandez.
PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY: “Welcome to the Danger Zone, my name is Paul E. Dangerously and I represent the Dangerous Alliance. Normally when I’m out here, I’m in a jolly mood and I enjoy lobbing verbal volleys at the peabrains who watch Power Pro Wrestling every week. And while I was overall quite pleased at Dick Slater triumphing at the Bruiser Bedlam in the $5,000 battle royal, there was one aspect of the that night that did not quite go to plan. My dream was to have Dick Slater and this man standing to my right, Hercules Hernandez, side-by-side as the final two of that battle royal for an all-Dangerous Alliance finale. But that did not happen thanks to ‘Hacksaw’ Butch Reed and his absolutely disgusting tactics. Mr. Reed, you might consider yourself a stud and badder than badder, but you’ve just made one incredibly strong and furiously angry enemy, my friend. Isn’t that right, Mr. Hernandez?”
HERCULES HERNANDEZ: “‘Hacksaw’ Butch Reed, you like to play the spoiler, huh? You like to back-jump people? Fool me once, shame on me! But you better believe that Hercules will never turn his back on you again! Reed, you better make damn sure that you don’t turn your back on me either! You made the biggest mistake of your life at the Bruiser Bedlam. You crossed the Dangerous Alliance. Well Reed, I hope you enjoyed yourself because your life will never be the same again once I clamp on the Full Nelson! AHAHA!”
PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY: “With that unpleasantness out of the way, I would just like to mention that my client, Dick Slater, was indeed correct when he predicted that he would win the Bruiser Bedlam Battle Royal. As I’m sure you’ll recall, Mr. Slater also predicted that his next step would be to take the PPW Heavyweight Title away from Terry Gordy. More on that later. For now, this has been the Danger Zone. You’re welcome!”
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MATCH #1: BIG STEEL MAN vs. EDDY GUERRERO
Mr. Solie mentions that the impressive Big Steel Man made his debut in Power Pro Wrestling in the Battle Royal and he was quite a force to be reckoned with on that night. Young Eddy Guerrero comes from the famous Guerrero wrestling family, and has all the makings of a future star. Tonight, he tries a hit and run tactic on Big Steel Man and it’s quite effective for a few moments. However, Guerrero tries a cross-body off the ropes and ends up getting caught. Big Steel Man hurls Guerrero down to the canvas and then bounces off the ropes for a big elbow drop across the chest. This vicious big man then begins choking the life out of Guerrero. Referee Tommy Gilbert threatens the Big Steel Man with disqualification, so he releases the choke. He then scoops up Guerrero, takes a running start and drives him into the canvas with a power-slamfor a three count. After getting his hand raised, Big Steel Man bounces off the ropes and connects with a big splash across the chest of Eddy Guerrero. Mr. Solie condemns him, arguing that there’s never a justification for attacking an injured man after you’ve already defeated him.
WINNER: BIG STEEL MAN
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Gordon Solie and Joel Watts speak for a moment about the exciting news that Power Pro Wrestling will be expanding in June, and again mention that Windy City Wrestling will continue each week on this station as well. One man who will be a part of this expansion is the very impressive All-American college football great and Heisman Trophy finalist Ron Simmons. Let’s take a special look at this very exciting young athlete:
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
Power Pro Wrestling’s ‘The Power Hour’ will premiere on Saturday, June 10 on the following stations: St. Louis – KSDK, Kansas City, MO – KSHB-TV, Springfield – KYTV, Little Rock – KARK-TV, Jonesboro – KAIT-DT2, Shreveport - KTAL-TV, Baton Rouge – WVLA-TV and New Orleans – WDSU. More station announcements to come!
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Power Pro Wrestling returned with ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ Doug Furnas joining the ‘Dean of Professional Wrestling’ Gordon Solie at ringside for a special interview.
GORDON SOLIE: “Mr. Furnas, you looked most impressive at the Bruiser Bedlam. In quite an athletic feat, you eliminated a quarter of the men competing in that battle royal all by yourself. Although you didn’t come out the winner, surely you must have pride in your accomplishment.”
DOUG FURNAS: “First of all Mr. Solie, I’d just like to say it’s a pleasure to be interviewed by a true legend of professional wrestling myself. I also thank you for your nice words about the Battle Royal. I do take pride in my showing in that match, but I didn’t come out the winner so I’m certainly not satisfied. A loss means I need to increase my training and condition so that my hand is raised next time out.”
GORDON SOLIE: “Perhaps no single wrestler takes as much care and devotion in their training as you do. You’ve certainly earned the monicker of ‘World’s Strongest Man’ because of your incredible success in power-lifting. I know, in fact, you were in the gym for some three hours earlier in the day with your friend and training partner Phil Lafon.”
DOUG FURNAS: “That’s exactly right. In a promotion like Power Pro Wrestling filled with the best talent in the world today, a wrestler always needs an edge and mine is my strength. Now, I’d just like to make one comment, if I may. I’ve seen a trend going on here in PPW of certain wrestlers bullying, cheating and conniving their way to victory. Whether it’s the Big Steel Man attacking his opponent after the match earlier, Ronnie P. Gossett’s crew relying on outside interference or the Dangerous Alliance double-teaming and back-jumping, I don’t like it one bit. The next time I see something like that happen, the culprit might just have to deal with the World’s Strongest Man.”
GORDON SOLIE: “There you have it, fans! I’d suggest the other PPW superstars heed the warning of the World’s Strongest Man. Right now, I can see another very impressive athlete - one ‘Hacksaw’ Butch Reed - moving towards the ring. Let’s go up to Freddie Miller for the introductions.”
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MATCH #2: ‘HACKSAW’ BUTCH REED vs. BRYAN ‘CRUSH’ ADAMS
Mr. Watts mentions that we’ve seen Hacksaw Reed’s opponent, the man known as Crush, before here in PPW and he has been very impressive. Crush calls for a test of strength and Reed just smiles slyly. The two men lock up and it looks like Crush is going to have the advantage here. However, he gets cocky arguing with the fans and Reed reverses to the momentum until Crush is down to his knees. Hacksaw Reed releases the hold and then boots Crush in the face. The two men brawl for the next several minutes, until Crush misses a clothesline, turns around and gets scooped up into a press slam. Reed reps the near-300lb Crush three times before dropping him down to the canvas. Hacksaw Reed then climbs up to the top rope and perches. Bryan Adams slowly gets to his feet, only to be caught totally off guard from Reed’s flying shoulder-block. Hacksaw Reed puts one foot on Crush’s chest and kisses his muscles as referee Mike Fever administers the three count.
WINNER: ‘HACKSAW’ BUTCH REED
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The impressive ‘Hacksaw’ Butch Reed makes his way over to the podium to speak with Gordon Solie about his big victory.
GORDON SOLIE: ‘This is a man I’ve seen grow into perhaps the impressive all-around athlete in the world today over the course of my travels. However Mr. Reed, it seems that you have attracted some unwanted attention from the Dangerous Alliance and they have a numbers advantage.”
HACKSAW REED: “Like you said Gordon, you’ve seen a long time. Have you ever seen Butch Reed scared of facing one man, two men, ten men? I don’t think so. You gotta a problem with the Hacksaw, big Hercules? That’s just fine because I don’t like you none either. We got this big card coming up, the Clash of the Titans. Butch Reed damn sure is a titan, so let’s step into the ring and we’ll see if you are too!”
GORDON SOLIE: “That’s quite a challenge - one that I suspect will not go unanswered from the Dangerous Alliance. We’ll be back after these brief words from our sponsors.”
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
Power Pro Wrestling’s ‘The Power Hour’ will premiere on Saturday, June 10 on the following stations: Atlanta – WXIA-TV, Augusta – WAGT, Columbus, GA – WLTZ, Macon – WMGT-TV, Savannah – WSAV-TV, Miami – WTVJ, Tampa – WFLA-TV, West Palm Beach – WPTV, Tallahassee – WTWC-TV, Panama City – WJHG-TV, Jacksonville – WTLV, Daytona Beach – WESH , Birmingham – WVTM-TV, Dothan – WRGX-LD, Mobile – WPMI-TV and Huntsville – WAFF. More station announcements to come!
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Power Pro Wrestling returned with Gordon Solie and Joel Watts introducing a very special look at the PPW Television Champion Shane Douglas, who seems to have some sort of mysterious connection to Lord Humongous.
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MATCH #3: ‘THE WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN’ DOUG FURNAS vs. THE RUSSIAN STOMPER
The Russian Stomper is certainly one rugged individual and he takes no time attacking Doug Furnas as the ‘World’s Strongest Man’ climbs into the ring. Furnas fights him off, shoots the Russian Stomper off the ropes and drills him with a running lariat. Furnas then hooks Stomper and drives him into the canvas with a belly-to-back suplex. As Furnas hits the ropes for a leaping leg drop, Mr. Solie mentions how impressed he is with the agility and strength of one Doug Furnas. The final moments see Furnas lift the big Russian Stomper onto his shoulder and secure a submission in the Human Torture Rack for the victory.
WINNER: DOUG FURNAS
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Gordon Solie is joined at ringside by Paul E. Dangerous, the crown jewel of the Dangerous Alliance ‘Dirty’ Dick Slater and his valet Dark Journey.
PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY: “First of all Solie, I’d expect a man of your reputation not sink to the level of these people by referring to this man as ‘Dirty’. Don’t do it again!”
DICK SLATER: “Solie, I heard you talking about how impressed you’ve been watching that no-good ‘Hacksaw’ Butch Reed grow from a youngster into a man. That’s the difference between somone like Reed and myself. I was born a man and I just got more manly every day of my life. Just ask Journey, if you don’t believe me! But I don’t have time to waste breath on men like Butch Reed, I’ll let my friend Hercules take care of trash like him. I think you know what I'm out here for, Solie.”
GORDON SOLIE: “I suppose you have a message aimed for the PPW Heavyweight Champion Terry ‘Bamm Bamm’ Gordy. Is that correct?”
DICK SLATER: “Right on the money, they don’t call you the Dean for nothin’. Gordy, I take nothing away from Gordy. Gordy, you are one big, nasty beast and you took down a very formidable foe in Don ‘The Rock’ Muraco at the Bruiser Bedlam. But, I made a prediction out here a few weeks ago. I promised I’d win the battle royal at the Bruiser Bedlam and that’s exactly what I did! I also promised I’d then take that PPW Heavyweight Title from around your wait. Like I said, Gordy, I do respect you but the fact remains that Dick Slater has your number and the number of anyone he steps into the ring with! So I wanna know Gordy, do you have the guts and the intestinal fortitude to put that PPW Heavyweight Title on the line against me at the Clash of the Titans? It’s time for the world to find our if you’re a man or just an overgrown punk kid!”
GORDON SOLIE: “My goodness! Strong words from Mr. Slater. I’m quite certain we’ll have an answer from PPW Heavyweight Champion Terry Gordy right here next week on Power Pro Wrestling. We’ll pause briefly now.”
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
Power Pro Wrestling’s ‘The Power Hour’ will premiere on Saturday, June 10 on the following stations: Chicago – WMAQ-TV, Rockford – WREX, Peoria – WEEK-TV, Springfield) – WAND, Lexington – WLEX-TV, Louisville – WAVE, Bowling Green – WNKY, Memphis – WMC-TV, Nashville – WSMV-TV, Biloxi – WXXV-DT2, Jackson – WLBT and Tupelo – WTVA. Don’t miss it, be there!
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Power Pro Wrestling returns with Ronnie P. Gossett, Nord the Barbarian and ‘The Black Ninja’ Kendo Nagasaki standing by with Mr. Solie.
GORDON SOLIE: “Ronnie P. Gossett, I believe it’s fair to say that things did not go your way when the Black Ninja challenged PPW TV Champion Shane Douglas at the Bruiser Bedlam, all thanks to one Lord Humongous.”
RONNIE P. GOSSETT: “First of all you low-budget, it’s Ronnie P. Gossett THE THIRD and don’t you dare forget it. Lord Humongous - I don’t know what’s rattling around in htat oversized head of yours but it sure ain’t a brain. I made you a fantastic offer - I’d take care of everything you need in exchange for 60% of your earnings! You were a fool to turn that down.”
NORD THE BARBARIAN: “HUSS! HUSS! HUSS! HUSS! HUSS!”
RONNIE P. GOSSETT: “What the Barbarian is trying to say is that you’re a moron Humongous. Why on earth with you stand side-by-side with this twerp Shane Douglas? Sure he looks good, but he can’t rassle! Douglas, you already know your days are numbered, boy. As for Lord Humongous, you just try to interfere in my business EVER again and you’ll regret it until the day your good-for-nothing heart stops tickin’. You got one over of my boys last time, but don’t ever doubt that Ronnie P. Gossett III has an ace in the hole. That’s all I got to say, Solie!”
NORD THE BARBARIAN: “HUSS! HUSS! HUSS! HUSS! HUSS!”
GORDON SOLIE: “That certainly sounded like a threat from Mr. Gossett. I’m not quite sure how wise it is to threaten a man like Lord Humongous.”
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TV MAIN EVENT: PPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS DEATH AND DESTRUCTION (W/ WOMAN) VS. VIC STEAMBOAT AND FIRE CAT
Before the match can even begin, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ by Guns N’ Roses begins playing in the Henry Crown Fieldhouse. The Steiner Brothers make their way down to the ring, and Scott Steiner asks Freddie Miller for the microphone as Woman and her imposing team of Death and Destruction stand opposite them.
SCOTT STEINER: “Hey, me and my brother aren’t lookin’ to interrupt this match. We got somethin’ to say and then we’ll get outta your way and let you have your match. We’ve beaten every team in our way so far here in Power Pro Wrestling and I think we deserve a shot at those tag team belts. My brother and I just want to challenge whoever wins this match to a shot at the PPW titles at the Clash of the Titans.”
Woman snickers as Vic Steamboat bypasses her to step up to the microphone that Scotty Steiner is hold. Steiner hands off the microphone.
VIC STEAMBOAT: “Scotty, when we win the belts here tonight, Fire Cat and myself will face any team, any time, any place - including you and your brother!”
SCOTT STEINER: “Alright! Good luck, man. What about you, Woman. You’re two men there are big and tough. I bet they don’t turn down fighys often.”
The smirking Woman now steps up and takes the microphone from Scott Steiner.
WOMAN: “Steiner, these men do my fighting for me. They’re not required to think and they’re certainly not responsible for when and who they wrestle. But you know what? I like you, you’re kind of cute in that sort of brainless jock sort of way. If you want a shot at these PPW Tag Team Titles once Death and Destruction crush those two weaklings over there, you can have one… on one condition! All you have to do is beat a tag team of my choosing right here next week on Power Pro Wrestling. Whadda ya say, boys?”
RICK STEINER: “Hey Scotty, let’s go for it. We want them titles, don’t we? Hey wait, we already got a title. We’re the Steiner Brothers, that’s our title, ain’t it?”
SCOTT STEINER: “Don’t worry about it, brother. Woman, we’ll take on any team. Consider it a deal. Who do you lined up to face us?”
WOMAN: “That’s for me to know and you to find out… next week! Now, if you don’t mind, Death and Destruction have some havoc to wreak, boys.”
SCOTT STEINER: “We’ll see you next week. Come on, Rick!”
Mr. Solie recaps that intriguing turn of events as the bell sounds. Steamboat and Fire Cat are both quite impressive physical specimen. Vic is, of course, the younger brother of the great Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat while Fire Cat’s origins are a bit more mysterious. However, the sheer size disadvantage works against them in this match and it’s not look before Destruction pins Steamboat after a Full Nelson slam.
WINNER: PPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
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Gordon Solie and Joel Watts are about to wrap up this edition of Power Pro Wrestling when they’re surprised at the podium by ‘The King of Wrestling’ Harley Race, who made a surprise appearance at the Bruiser Bedlam.
GORDON SOLIE: “Well, this is certainly quite the surprise. Joining us now is the seven-times NWA World Heavyweight Champion, the man who many refer to as the King of Wrestling. ‘Handsome’ Harley Race, welcome to Power Pro Wrestling.”
HARLEY RACE: “It’s a pleasure to be here, Mr. Solie. I don’t want to take up much of your time because I know there are only a few minutes left on the broadcast.”
GORDON SOLIE: “We can, of course, always make time for a man of your reputation, Mr. Race.”
HARLEY RACE: “Mr. Solie, you threw out a lot of accolades in your introduction. It’s true many call me the King of Wrestling and it’s also true that I held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on seven occasions. For many wrestlers my age, that’s a legacy fulfilling enough to justify retiring. Mr. Solie, I think you know me well enough to understand that I’m not a man who dwells on my past accomplishments. It’s true that I’m not as young as I once was, but ask the 19 men who stepped into the ring me at the Bruiser Bedlam if Harley Race isn’t still the toughest dog in the yard. I say all this because I have no intention of retiring from the sport of professional wrestling in 1988. In fact, just the opposite. I believe with every fiber of my being that I still have the fire in my belly to reach the top of the mountain more time. I believe I will be World Heavyweight Champion once again. Now, to get there, I will need that PPW Heavyweight Title currently held by Terry Gordy. I’m fully aware that Gordy’s already been challenged by Dick Slater, and I’m not trying to cut in line. What I am doing is informing both Gordy and Slater that once they settle their issue, the one left standing with that PPW Heavyweight Title is going to stand opposite Harley Race inside my domain - the squared circle. And quite honestly, I feel sorry for whoever has that unfortunate distinction. Mr. Solie, thank you for your time.”
GORDON SOLIE: “Broth-er, there is no man in the sport of professional wrestling who is intense as ‘Handsome’ Harley Race. Fans, I’d love to attempt to analyze the statement made by Mr. Race but I’m afraid we’re out of time. For Joel Watts and Freddie Miller, this is Gordon Solie saying, the Prarie State.”
© WINDY CITY WRESTLING/POWER PRO WRESTLING, 1988
Working on it now.