November 1, 1986
River City Wrestling #258
Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

-squash match

 

Video Package:

A Retrospective of the incredible career of Superstar Billy Graham set to "Jesus Christ Superstar". The former WWWF World Champion takes on Hoss (Dory) Funk a former NWA World champion in tonight's main event.

 

-squash match

 

A retrospective of the incredible career of Hoss Funk, better known as Dory Funk Jr., including his time as NWA World Champion, set to "La Grange" by ZZ Top. Funk takes on Superstar Billy Graham in our main event tonight.

 

-what might have been another squash match turned into a good and evenly fought contest. Moe & Shawn teaming for the first time seemed to have some chemistry as both seek to rise from the depths of the card. The match also showcased that Chris Lyon has seemingly taken a step back from going completely over the edge to crazy, as he seemed more like his cold, calculating, and vicious self.

 

Kid Gallahad and Chris Lyon are interviewed and we get more evidence that Lyon is closer to being his old self. He says he has visited a shrink and has been diagnosed as manic depressive and is taking pills so he can get back to being his usual loveable and fair self. He says all this in a mocking fashion and the fans boo him for his efforts.

 

-Divine is an accomplished women's wrestler but was just no match for this new behemoth from Russia. Divine tried a stick and move attack but Orca while dazed, never fell, and once she got control of the match ended it pretty quickly with an elbowsmash, bodyslam, and then the splash.

 

Coming to River City Wrestling, making his premiere next week, Cpl. Kirschner.

 

[end of first hour]

 

[The Longriders retain the RCW Tag Titles]

-Markoff & Orton are a decent team but no one really believed they could take the titles from the very popular Londriders duo

 

Bob Backlund is set to return from his injuries in December.

 

[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW TV Title]

-Bassarab controlled most of this match although the challenger had his moments and was still very much in the hunt when his partner/manager Great Gama decided to try and use Blackman's nonchucks on Bassarab when the referee was knocked down. It backfired though as Gama was unfamiliar with the weapon and ended up hitting Blackman instead.

 

Great Gama lifted Blackman to his feet and tried to apologize. Blackman though would have none of it, and getting a microphone he told Gama he was done with him. Ever since he came to River City Wrestling he has been acting like a smuck taking the short cuts, instead of the proper way like Ben Bassarab and Dan Kroffat. He tells Gama that again he's done with him. But he makes the mistake of throwing down the mic and turning his back on Gama who then attacks him from behind. Gama puts the boots to Blackman, and tries to lock on the Calcutta clutch but Blackman fights the hold, and then gets the upper hand on Gama, sending the sneaky East Indian heading for the hills.

Blackman is cheered by the crowd as he leaves the ring.

 

Marty Goldstein comes out and calls out RCW champion Steve Disalvo (accompanied by Lisa Caress) and #1 challenger The Destroyer. Goldstein says Destroyer has yet to get a fair shot at the title and that has to change. Disalvo says he is done giving chance after chance to the old man, and will give him one more shot only, next week. Goldstein and Destroyer agree but under two conditions, first all wrestlers will be banned from ringside, and if they appear they will be suspended. Secondly, the Destroyer will get to pick what kind of match it will be.

After some brief thought, the Destroyer says that Disalvo's main advantages are that he is big and strong, and that he cheats. He says Disalvo's muscles though are all show, and he has no stamina. Therefore, he wants an ironman match, most falls wins the title. Marty agrees and makes it a 30-minute iron man match that will take up the entirety of the second hour of next week's show. Disalvo is not happy but says he will break Destroyer in two early in the match and then will beat on him for the rest of the match, and there won't be anything or anyone to save Destroyer from total destruction.

 

-Funk controlled early by grounding Graham thus taking away his strength advantage. But the fans rallied SBG who got to his feet and started to take it to Funk. He missed an elbowdrop though off the second rope giving the wrestler better known as Dory Funk Jr the advantage back. Funk though couldn't finish off Graham legally so resorted to using the ropes for leverage and gaining an impressive although tainted victory.

 

Post-Match:

Graham chased Funk out of the arena, assuring us this encounter will not be their last.

 

That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.

 

See ya next week!!!

 

 

November 8, 1986
River City Wrestling #259
Brandon, Manitoba

 

Opening Bout:

-squash match

 

Cpl. Kirschner introduces himself to the RCW fans, and talks a bit about being the heir aparent to Sgt. Slaughter's patriotic legacy in the WWF.

 

December 18th, 1986, River City Wrestling returns to the Winnipeg Arena for the 7th Annual Anniversary Spectacular!!

 

-huge upset win for this newly formed tag team. Orton and Markoff were not happy and berated the ref after the match, but didn't dare attack the physically imposing Malone.

 

An ecstatic Shawn Cummings and Moe Malone are interviewed.

 

On Tonight's Evening News:

- "New York Times" discovery that President Reagan and a few top aides made arms deal with Iran, via Israel, for release of some United States hostages in Lebanon reported

-Syrian President Hafez al-Assad's warning against intl. sanctions for Syria's backing of terrorism reported

-Los Angeles public golf courses reported instituting concept which began in Denver as "go-go golf," designed to speed up game

 

 

-Orca is just too big and too mean for these two, including a green rookie like Young, too handle.

 

Women's champion Misty Blue Simmes comes to the ring before Orca has left. Simmes says she is not afraid of Orca's bullying tactics. and next week the fans will get to see what they have been waiting for, her fat butt kicked all over the ring. Orca pushes Simmes to the mat, and referee Buddy Lane holds back Simmes from retaliation telling her to save it for next week.

 

Footage of the Destroyer put to "I Am By Your Side" by Corey Hart.

 

-Blackman wanted revenge for the sneak attack last week by Gama after Blackman effecively turned his back on the East Indian partner/manager. He seemed well on the way to getting it as his brawling and fighting skills were too much for the more ground orientated veteran to handle. However, Gama found what he needed after exposing a turnbuckle and unseen by the ref threw Blackman back first into the exposed buckle before pinning him.

 

Superstar Billy Graham comes to the ring. He's furious with Hoss Funk for the way he cheated his way to victory last week in their match. SBG wants a rematch next week, and promises the fans that they will see the old Superstar, the one who would be doing the cheating not being cheated.

Hoss Funk comes out and calls SBG, says his whiny punk nature is probably because his parents weren't married, and their was a parade of men one after another in his momma's life....and we're off with fists flying. The two men grapple and punch against the wall, with SBG having Funk pinned up, and slamming some knees into his guts. Funk tackles SBG to the concrete floor and the two roll around trading punches.

 

[end of first hour]

 

Marty Goldstein calls out Phillip Navarre and Chris Lyon to the ring. The two glare at each other from across the ring. Goldstein says that since tonight will be the final match between Steve Disalvo and The Destroyer, RCW needs a #1 contender. So next week Navarre and Lyon will hook up to earn that spot.

Kid Gallahad comes out, his nose out of joint, wanting to know why his partner is getting such an opportunity and he is not. Goldstein says Lyon is the more accomplished singles wrestler, but that Gallahad will also have a #1 contenders match for next week. He will face Dan Kroffat and the winner will be the #1 contender for the TV title. This seems to mullify Gallahad at least for the moment.

 

Orion Pictures is proud to release to theatres this weekend the comedy-drama "Something Wild" starring Jeff Daniels and Melanie Griffith.

A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-con husband shows up.

Something Different, Something Daring, Something Dangerous

 

Steve Disalvo (/w Lisa Caress)  (champion)   v  The Destroyer

 

Match began tentaively with Disalvo trying to take time off the clock with side headlocks, stepping between the ropes for a break, taking a break outside the ring to confer with his manager etc. The crowd grew restless and jeered his tactics heavily. Then after a couple of exchanges with Destroyer able to take Disalvo down to the mat, the champion grabbed his title belt and left the premises.

The crowd went nuts as referee Buddy Lane counted him out.

 

 

Marty Goldstein came down to the ring. He got on the mic and told Disalvo that if he is under the impression that he can not lose the title tonight this way, he is mistaken. The rules are whomever wins the most falls wins the title. He then orders Buddy Lane to begin his count again for the second fall.

 

Lane counts and it really looks like Disalvo is not coming back, but he suddenly reappears running down to the ring, and sliding in, just beating the count of 10.

Destroyer tries to put him into a front chancery but Disalvo breaks the hold and then punches Destroyer in the head. After a couple more punches, he follows with a whip to the buckle, big back bodydrop, elbowdrop, pin attempt 1, 2 Kickout.

Disalvo continues to punish his challenger with a bodyslam, bootrake, but when he goes for a piledriver the Destroyer counters with a back body drop.

The masked man takes control of the champ, and tries to take away more of his stamina with a bodyscissors. Disalvo finds out that even his arms aren't a match to break a hold applied by a strong pair of legs like those of his challenger. Destroyer continues to punish with armbreakers, backbreaker, atomic drop and goes for his finisher the flying crucifix only to have Disalvo counter with a Samoan drop, and get a surprise 1, 2, 3 !!!

 

 

Disalvo goes right on the offensive and punishes Destroyer especially his previously injured back. He drops elbows, knees, comes off the second rope, standing surfboard, punishing suplexes, all to get a second fall but to no avail. However, every time Destroyer seems to get some momentum or an opportunity for offense he is held back by the pain in his back.

We are announced at the 20:00 mark and we are still tied at one fall each.

Disalvo takes Destroyer down with a spinning DDT from the second buckle, pins, 1, 2 Kickout!

He sets him up and devastates him with a piledriver, 1, 2, but he doesn't hook the leg, kickout!

Disalvo loses his temper and goes after the challenger with boots and chokeholds. Buddy Lane gets in his face holding him back, and this allows Destroyer some rest time. Disalvo tries to intimidate Lane but is warned he will get a disqualification, and that could cost him the title so he relents.

Destroyer catches him with a legsweep knocking him to the mat. He then locks on a key-lock, and works the champ on the mat. Disalvo, finally manages to get to his feet but Destroyer still has him in an armbar. Disalvo tries to shake the masked man, throwing him to the ropes but Destroyer keeps putting on the brakes and holding on. Finally Disalvo breaks the hold with a kick to the knee, followed by a big clothesline.

Both men catch their breath as we are announced at the 25:00 mark.

The announcers bring up the point that if this match ends at a 1-1 tie then Disalvo would retain his title.

Disalvo tries to waste time with side headlocks, and then a bearhug, and Destroyer finally breaks it up with an earringer. He comes off the ropes with a flying forearm but can't knock the champ down. He comes off the ropes again but this time the champ catches him, and goes for a tilt-a-whirl, but Destroyer spins out of it landing beside the champ and takes him down with a reverse Russian legsweep. He makes the cover, and gets a 2 count.

We are now at the 27:00 mark.

Destroyer pours on the pressure with a flying crossbody block, an inside cradle, a neckbreaker, and a bulldog from the second rope but can't put the champ away. He takes a risk and goes for his flying crucifix finisher one more time, and it looks like Disalvo is holding his ground, but finally Destroyer is able to lean far enough over to pull the champ down into the pinning position. He gets 1, 2, Lisa Caress reaches in and gives them a push, and they roll over to break the pin just in time.

Destroyer is livid and distracted as Disalvo nails him from behind.

We are now at the 29:00 mark.

Disalvo bodyslams the Destroyer, and then goes for his piledriver finisher. Destroyer resists to Disalvo gives him an earringer, and then slams him with a couple forearm blasts to the chest. He sets him up again for the piledriver, but this time the Destroyer gets out with a back body drop and then covers the champ, 1, 2 , kickout.

Time has expired.

 

[Steve Disalvo retains the RCW Heavyweight Title]

 

The fans are furious, Ron Strong is mad about the interference of Lisa Caress, but the Destroyer just looks dejected as he watches Disalvo limp away with the title on one arm and Lisa on the other.

 

That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.

 

See ya next week!!

November 15, 1986
River City Wrestling #260
Regina, Saskatchewan

 

Opening Bout:

-squash match

 

The Longriders say they have beaten all the big competitors that have come through RCW, and sent them all packing.

Shawn Cummings and Moe Malone come out, and ask the Longriders based on their victory last week over Markoff & Orton for a title shot next week. The 'riders kind of chuckle but then say they mean no disrespect to the two youngsters. Wild Bill says that they don't really deserve a title shot, not yet anyway, but they will grant them one next week because quite frankly there is no other team left for them to beat.

 

On December 18th, 1986 at the Winnipeg Arena, River City Wrestling presents the 7th Anniversary Spectacular!!

 

#1 Contenders Match for TV Title

-Gallahad exerted some dominance in this match vaulting him convincingly into TV title contention

 

Kid Gallahad is interviewed. Says in his thick Scottish brogue he is glad to be back wrestling singles, not that he has anything against his former partner Chris Lyon.

 

Coming soon to River City Wrestling, the big man from Russia, Boris Zhukov!!

 

-squash match. Utter dominance by Disalvo.

 

Steve Disalvo and Lisa Caress ponder how either a pair of nobodys like Phillip Navarre or Chris Lyon think they can take the title from him when he just finished taking care of the legendary Destroyer.

 

-fairly even match with Blackman looking for revenge on Gama, and Kirschner looking to make a statement for America. Johnny K-9 turned out to be the weak link in the match and Gama refused a tag toward the end of the match that might have prolonged the contest.

 

Cpl. Kirschner & Steve Blackman call Great Gama a coward, and Kirschner challenges Gama to a match next week.

 

 

[end of first hour]

 

[Misty Blue Simmes retained the North American Women's Title]

-Simmes actually acquitted herself very well against the bigger challenger, using a hit and move attack. She was also able to work from outside the ring while keeping Orca inside the ring, attacking from the ring apron, the ring floor, and the top turnbuckle. Orca made a strong comeback though and seemed on the verge of winning the title when she made a mistake launching herself for a bodypress on the champ who ducked away. Orca fell between the ropes and was unable to get back into the ring before the count of 10.

 

Post-Match:

The champion Simmes made the mistake of turning her back on Orca, who returned to the ring and attacked Simmes from behind. She laid in some boots, before hitting a splash, and then turned Simmes over and nailed a splash from the second buckle onto her back.

 

Pre-Match:

After a commercial break we returned to see Misty Blue Simmes being taken from the ring on a stretcher.

 

In perhaps the strangest "coming soon" promo ever from River City Wrestling, the producers borrow the comic book concept from the video 'Take on Me" by Ah-Ha, and we get a glimpse of a newcomer to RCW by the name of Vendetta.

As "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult plays we see images of the tall, black man with a medium but very athletic looking build, dreadlocks, and some white tears painted on his cheeks. The images transition from real to comic book, and we see drawings of him delivering a DDT, and pouncing on an opponent off the top turnbuckle.

 

-more evidence tonight that Lyon is back to closer to his former self, wrestling a controlled and conniving style of match. He cheated the best he could but didn't risk DQ like he has in recent months. Navarre took a lot of punishment the first seven minutes were all Lyon, but the Frenchman would not give up. Finally he made a comeback and made short work of Lyon.

 

Phillip Navarre is excited about getting the opportunity to wrestle against Disalvo. When asked about his strategy he says he honestly doesn't know, he has been concentrating on Lyon and before that his other opponents and he'll have to spend this week preparing. He admits that Disalvo is such a tremendous physical specimen and managed to outfox a veteran like the Destroyer, so its going to be tough going.

 

-true to his word the fans saw the old SBG in this match, as he matched dirty tactic after dirty tactic with Dory Funk Jr (Hoss). However, when Funk managed some thumbs to the throat to keep SBG off balance, the Superstar lost his temper and began to blatantly choke Funk on the ropes. When referee Buddy Lane tried to get SBG off of Funk, the former WWWF champ let an errent elbow hit Lane square in the mouth. While it may have been unintentional it was the final straw for Lane who disqualified Graham.

 

That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.

 

See ya next week!!

 

November 22, 1986
River City Wrestling #261
Calgary, Alberta

 

-Kirschner dominated most of this match over the veteran Gama

 

Marty Goldstein comes out, and says he will be out a couple times tonight to set up matches for the big year end Anniversary spectacular on December 18th. To start he calls out Bob Backlund.

He asks Bob if he will be ready to return to the ring on Dec 18th, and when he receives a positive response, he says that he is making Bob Backlund the #1 contender for the Heavyweight title and will recieve his title shot that night.

Bob thanks Marty and the fans of RCW, and shakes hands with Goldstein.

 

-squash match

 

Boris Zhukov is coming to RCW.

 

-squash match

 

Marty Goldstein comes out and gives us an injury update on Misty Blue Simmes while Orca is still in the ring. He says Simmes' back is hurting, but the champ wants a piece of Orca so bad she won't stay out and heel. But Goldstein says that as per doctors orders she will be out for a couple weeks yet. In fact Goldstein says he has booked her return to the ring to be the December 13th TV show, five days before the December 18th year end spectacular, so that she can avoid being stripped of the title under the 30 days rule. However, Goldstein says that although Orca is logically the #1 contender for the women's title, due to her actions last week in injuring Simmes with a cowardly attack after the match, she will have to wait until the Anniversary show to get her title shot. Instead on the 13th that title shot will go to either Sherri Martel or Candi Divine who meet next to determine the #1 contendership.

Orca is mad and goes after Goldstein, but the voice of RCW management tells Orca that if she lays a finger on him she will not get her title shot on the 18th and will be suspended instead. Suddenly her English improves and she leaves the ring in a huff.

 

 

-even match, lots of back and forth with the action spilling outside around the announce table.

 

 

[end of first hour]

 

[The Longriders retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]

-Cummings and Malone put up a good showing but were overmatched against the more experienced team, and they especially took advantage of Cummings lack of size. After the match the champs gave the challengers a tip of their hat.

 

The Longriders again give props to their challengers but then bring up again how there are not a lot of established teams ready to challenge for the titles. The 'riders say they have some business elsewhere for a couple weeks so maybe between then and now some team will establish themselves as the #1 contenders so a good match could be had for the anniversary show.

 

[Ben Bassarab retains the RCW TV Title]

-a good, uptempo match with both men hitting impact moves like German suplexes and flying elbowsmashes. In the end though Bassarab was just a bit better then the challenger.

 

[Steve Disalvo retains the RCW Heavyweight Title]

-Disalvo is a dominant enough champion that he probably could have won this match fair and square, but that makes it even more infuriating to the fans when he chooses to take short cuts instead. Early on he did a little run and hide on Navarre, and played to his chivalrous side by hiding behind Lisa only to Pearl Harbour him after pushing Lisa into his arms. After laying on the punishment but not finishing him off, Navarre made a comeback. But Disalvo was able to power out of the set-up for the Coup de Grace, and drive Navarre into the buckle. He followed up with a bodyslam, elbowdrop, bulldog from the 2nd rope, and the piledriver to finish off Navarre.

 

Post-Match:

As Disalvo celebrated with Caress, he was attacked from behind by Hoss Funk! The fans despite their dislike for Funk cheered him on as he laid the boots to Disalvo. When Lisa Caress became involved though Funk though nothing of tossing her off his back and then throwing her out of the ring. This mistreatment of a lady brought Phillip Navarre back to the ring to chase away Funk.

 

That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.

 

See ya next week!!

 

 

November 29, 1986
River City Wrestling #262
Edmonton, Alberta

 

Opening Bout:

-didn't take long for Guay to be despised by the Alberta crowd, both for his tactics as well as his choice of French as a language, and his allegiances to Quebec.

 

Paramount Pictures is proud to release to theatres this weekend, "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" starring William Shatner, and Leonard Nimoy.

To save Earth from an alien probe, Kirk and his crew go back in time to retrieve the only beings who can communicate with it, humpback whales.

Can the latest episode in the Star Trek franchise unseat Crocodile Dundee from its spot as the #1 movie in America in its 10th week?

They travelled back where 23rd century man had never gone before. To a mad, crazy, outrageous time. 1986.

 

-squash match

 

Steve Blackman is interviewed, and receives accolades from Ron Strong as well as the crowd for his recent adoption of the rulebook and turning his back on Great Gama. Strong mentions that after his loss to Blackman, Gama has packed his bags and left the territory. For some reason, probably lack of anything productive to do "Mad Dog" Manny Silva came out to give Blackman a hard time about becoming a sissified fan favorite. This lead to the eventual conclusion of an exchange of fists.

 

-what could have been a formible challenge from Thatcher instead turned into a squash match for the physically dominant champion.

 

Ron Strong informs Steve Disalvo that Marty Goldstein has set a match tonight for the main event between Hoss Funk and Phillip Navarre to determine who should get a title shot next. Disalvo says thats insane as he beat Navarre clean last week and he wants a piece of Funk now for attacking him after the match. Strong says "don't shoot the messenger", and all Disalvo can do is fume.

 

On Tonight's Evening News:

-President Reagan's continued defense of his covert arms sales to Iran, from which funds were diverted for Nicaraguan Contras

-Major anti-government rally and police response in Seoul, South Korea

-Pope John Paul II's continued tour of Australia, incl. his defense today of aboriginal rights

-Revival of ballroom dancing featured

 

 

-very even match, and somewhat entertaining. Renslow and Wagner, fresh from being an AWA opening act played the typical cheating heels, while Cummings played Ricky Morton making the hot tag to the physically impressive but hot tempered former bodybuilder, Mighty Moe Malone.

 

Post-Match:

During their post match celebration Cummings and Malone were attacked by their vanquished opponents who snuck a return to the ring to assure they would get another match.

 

[end of first hour]

 

-the match was supposed to be Zhukov against a preliminary wrestler, but Kirschner showed up to take the spot in the match, his outrage with Zhukov over the display of the USSR flag and Zhukov's anti-American comments. Despite a strong start in the match Kirschner was taken apart by Zhukov's power and ruthless attack.

 

* Strangler Steve Disalvo to defend the RCW Heavyweight Title against Bob Backlund

*Misty Blue Simmes (or Sherri Martel) to defend the North American Women's Title against Orca

*Ben Bassarab to defend the RCW TV title against an unamed opponent

*Hoss Funk former NWA World Champion

*The Longriders to defend the RCW Tag Team Titles

*Boris Zhukov

*Vendetta

*and much more

 

 

-this match was all Destroyer against a formible foe in Gallahad. Finally after many failed attempts to mount an effective offense Gallahad took a powder and simply left the arena to a chorus of jeers.

 

Destroyer is interviewed and says its no surprise that Gallahad took off, after all he was friends with Chris Lyon for a while, another coward. Surprisingly this brings out Chris Lyon himself who has been keeping a low profile lately. Lyon tells Destroyer his ears were burning, and he will make Destroyer pay for those comments. He challenges Destroyer to a match next week, which the masked man happily accepts.

 

The address on screen to write for a free RCW Merchandise catalogue. Current items including year end clearance items include;

** "Throwdown", RCW's own strategic dice boardgame where you become your favorite RCW wrestler, or create your own to take to the top

** Misty Blue Simmes poster

** Brand new "The Destroyer" black and white bathrobe

** Sets of the 1986 1st edition RCW Trading Cards, now clearing to make room for the 1987 set

** Video tapes of RCW's biggest cards including Wrestling Summit 3 and the 6th Anniversary Spectacular

** Destroyer "Hall of Fame" Plaque

** Bob Backlund "In NYC" t-shirt

** much, much, more

 

-After their brief encounter last week these two hooked up to decide who would get the title shot next at Steve Disalvo. Navarre controlled much of the early going with his power and youthful exuberance, but Funk's cheating ways and experience took over the match in its latter stages. Then at a critical time when Navarre was mounting a comeback, and on a referee bump, Steve Disalvo hit the ring and took out Funk from behind, and then attacked Navarre as well. He left the ring with both men down, but Funk managed to recover first and took the match shortly after from Navarre.

 

That's it for another edition of River City Wrestling.

 

See ya next week!!