November 5, 1983
River City Wrestling #122
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB

We are welcomed by the announcers Ron Strong & Mike Stone.


In-ring promo;
Ron Strong is inside the ring. We kick off tonight’s show by bringing in our advertised guest, heavyweight boxer, turned actor in “Uncommon Valour” where he co-starred with Gene Hackman… Randall “Tex” Cobb.
The big, grizzled looking man with the bushy beard and hair comes to the ring to a fairly strong ovation. He is wearing a black t-shirt and camouflage pants.
Strong welcomes him to the show and asks why he has decided to check out RCW. Cobb says he has been thinking about becoming a pro-wrestler and he was told to check out RCW by his agent. Cobb says he is a big fan of the Destroyer, Ray Stevens, and even the Bounty Hunter.
Suddenly the interview is interrupted by Tom Stone. He comes to the ring and Ron Strong is obviously looking a bit perturbed at Stone. Stone though looks at Cobb and asks “you talk about Destroyer and Stevens, but do you know who I am?”. Cobb says no. Stone turns to Strong and shouts “tell him who I am”. Strong looks embarrassed now and says “he’s Tom Stone”. Stone grabs the mic from the hand of Strong and says “wrong, I am Tom “Rocky” Stone”. The fans boo, and Strong is looking very embarrassed now, and Cobb just looks confused.
Stone says “They call me Rocky, because of my knockout punch ability, and my ability to take a beating and still win a match.”
Strong laughs and says “when have you ever won a match here in RCW?”.
This gets Cobb laughing again and he asks Stone, “are you a curtain jerker?”.
Stone is incensed now. “You dare come here and disrespect me and my sport?”
Cobb is mildly looking mad now, “no you disrespect yourself, and be careful before you disrespect me anymore.”
Stone looks straight at Cobb and then says, “I challenge you to a match tonight!”
Cobb looks ready to accept, but Strong warns him against it, “you’ve never even trained for a wrestling match Tex, give yourself some time. He’s just trying to bait you.”
Cobb thinks about it while the fans chant, Tex, Tex, Tex. “Where I come from a man doesn’t back down from a challenge. I’ll tell you what Rocky, that’s right Rocky. I will accept your challenge for a match tonight…a Boxing match. 3 rounds. That is if you really think you can live up to the name Rocky”.
Stone is taken aback, but with very little choice in the matter he agrees to the match. As Cobb goes to leave the ring though Stone attacks him from behind. He lays in a couple of kicks and punches before Cobb is able to tackle him to the ground. Stone is on his back in the guard position as Cobb lays in several punches to the side of his head. Strong manages to separate the two combatants.




Opening Bout:RCW Women’s Championship Match
Judy Martin (champion) v Corrie England (/w Tawney England)

The champ is simply in a different league then the challengers in RCW. Corrie has never wrestled more then a handful of matches in her life. She is vicious, but Martin is a dirty veteran, and bigger then England. Even when Tawney tries to get involved Martin has no problems against both sisters.

Judy Martin defeated Corrie England by pinfall after a piledriver at 4:11[Judy Martin retains the RCW Women’s Championship]


In-ring interview:Mike Stone interviews the champ, Judy Martin. She complains about a lack of challengers but says as long as Marty Goldstein sends her cheques that clear the bank she will continue traveling here and beating these stiffs, the same way she does out west, in Japan, and all over Europe.
Promoter Marty Goldstein comes out to the ring. He addresses Martin, and says that she is right, there is not enough competition for her here in RCW. They have tried to build a women’s program but its never really taken off. However, in an effort to bring the best matches and competition to the RCW fans a solution has been found. The River City Wrestling Women’s Championship belt will be merged with the Maple Leaf Women’s Championship belt currently held by LeLani Kai. That match will be held right here in Winnipeg at the 4th Anniversary show on December 15th. The winner will hold a new title recognized as the Canadian Women’s Championship.
The fans cheer the announcement but Martin is livid, not wanting to hand her title over to Goldstein. The promoter smirks and asks if she is scared of a little competition, and if she isn’t willing to put her money where her mouth is. Martin retorts she isn’t scared of a damn thing, especially LeLani Kai and tells Goldstein he can have his trinket back. But as she hands back the title she gives Goldstein a stinging slap across the face. She yells “what are you going to do about it?”. Goldstein says he’ll leave that up to Kai, but in the meantime he is going to fine her $200 out of her paycheque for tonight. Martin threatens Goldstein some more before the segment ends without further incident.


Promo;
Coming up on Tonight’s National News;
• Precarious military and political position of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) chairperson Yasir Arafat's forces in continuing north Lebanon battle with Syrian-backed PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) rebels.
• Jamaican Colonel Ken Barnes, commander of Caribbean forces in Grenada, reported seeking long-range presence of United States military on Grenada;
• United States congress delegation's continued investigations of United States invasion of Grenada; United States bombing of mental hospital recalled. [Representative Robert MICHEL - regrets bombing incident, but considers it course of war.]
• Significance of USSR President Yuri Andropov's absence from major Soviet celebration, possibly due to health.
• Mud-slinging in Mississippi gubernatorial race between Democrat Bill Allain and Republican Leon Bramlett stemming from Bramlett camp's allegation that Allain hired male transvestite prostitutes for personal interaction.



Bout #2:

Stan Rodgers v Butch Reed (/w Mr. Ho)

We have seen tensions rise recently between Reed and his manager Mr. Ho. But tonight they are on-side and together manage to keep the slightly bigger Rodgers off balance. Reed wears him down and then goes to work with a pair of backbreakers, a reverse chinlock, some knees to the back, and then a flying shoulderblock. However, when he goes for a flying clothesline the former tag champion Rodgers has it well scouted and ducks under and into Reed taking him down with a football tackle. After a two count he punishes him with a pair of bodyslams. He appears ready to finish him off with the big Lariat but Mr. Ho jumps up on the apron. Rodgers comes over and scuffles with Ho. Referee Wyatt Hall manages to separate the two, but Mr. Ho continues to distract the ref with his complaints. During this time, Kendo Nagasaki comes sliding into the ring. He waits, and as Rodgers turns around he blasts him in the face with green mist. Unable to see Rodgers spins around, and is nailed by Reed with a flying clothesline. Ho releases the ref in time to make the count.

Butch Reed defeats Stan Rodgers by pinfall following a flying clothesline and outside interference at 8:44


In-ring interview:
Mike Stone interviews, and gushes over, Mr. Ho and his new stable with Butch Reed and Kendo Nagasaki. Stone asks Ho why he paid Nagasaki to leave his match against Heavyweight champion Chris Lyon two weeks ago. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to let him finish off Lyon, assuming he could, and then he would now be managing the RCW champion? Mr. Ho says that is too simplistic of an outlook. He says this is a team, and they will act together to accomplish their goals. They will dominate the RCW as no other team has ever done.



Bout #3:
Flag Match

Ray “the Crippler” Stevens v Cuban Assassin

The American and Cuban flags were placed on poles above the top turnbuckles. First man to bring down his own flag would be declared the winner. Assassin met Stevens in the aisle before the match could even start. He went to work on the veteran using Steven’s own gold warm-up jacket to choke him with. Next came the steel guardrail, but when he tried to escalate it to the ringbell he was thwarted by Stevens who sent him flying over the announce table with a hiptoss. Stevens went to work stomping and boot choking the Cuban. He then took the match back inside where he nailed several suplexes, a pair of backbreakers, and then locked on the Boston crab. Assassin was screaming that he quit but the match kept going as it could not end in that manner. Stevens finally released the hold and almost recovered his American flag but the Assassin knocked him off the top turnbuckle, and down to the outside of the ring, at the last moment.
The Cuban crossed the ring and tried to recover his own flag but Stevens pulled him by the feet, and after choking him with the bottom strand, pulled him out of the ring. He slammed him back first several times into the ring apron, and then stomped away freely on the Assassin’s injured back. But when he went for the Boston crab the Cuban managed to counter it by kicking him, pushing him headfirst into the outside of the ringpost. Stevens came up wearing the proverbial crimson mask.
The two continued to brawl outside the ring for several minutes before action returned to inside the ring. The Cuban sent Stevens face first into the buckle, but when he followed in too closely the two collided on the bounce back and both went down. Referee George Gadasky counted to 8 before both men struggled to their feet in a haze. They each used the ropes to support themselves, working their way to the corner and climbing up the turnbuckles in a race for the flags. However, they realized at the top of their climbs that they were in the wrong (opposite) corners. Both men climbed down and charged at each other, ready to collide in the center of the ring. Stevens though was quicker and took the Cuban down with a step-toe hold. He then stood on the back of the Cuban’s thigh and smashed his kneecap down on the mat several times. Stevens went back to work on the back of the Cuban with stomps, forearms, and a backbreaker. The Cuban fought back with a face rake, and then applied his own finisher, the Havana Hug (bearhug). Stevens though was fresher then the Cuban despite wearing the crimson mask, and took the Cuban over with a belly-to-belly. He then threw him into the corner, and proceeded to use him like a step on his way to the top turnbuckle. Stevens climbed to the top and retrieved the American flag to the ovation of the crowd.

Ray Stevens defeated The Cuban Assassin in a flag match at 10:03


Promo:On December 15, 1983 RCW invites you to celebrate with them their 4th Anniversary!
A special card is being put together for the Winnipeg Arena.


Promo;Warner Brothers new release to the theatres this weekend, the comedy “Deal of the Century” starring Chevy Chase, Sigourney Weaver, and Gregory Hines.
Chevy Chase and his partners are arms dealers. They sell second-rate weapons to third world nations. But they're not out to stick it to anyone.
Arms dealers from several companies vie to sell the most expensive and highest tech weapons to a South American dictator.



Main Event:
Exhibition Boxing Match
Scheduled for 3 Rounds

Referee: George Gadasky
Judges: Marty Goldstein, Bad News Allen, and Wyatt Hall

Randall “Tex” Cobb v Tom “Rocky” Stone
Round 1:Cobb comes out and nails Stone with a pair of body shots. The second one lands Stone on his ass, gasping for air. He tries to call a time-out before retreating to his corner. Cobb plays with Stone a bit, first blocking his punches, then playing a bit of ropey-dope, before coming back and nailing him with a hard shot to the head. Stone goes down. At the count of 8 though the round ends, and Stone is saved by the bell.

Round 2:Cobb comes out looking to end this one early. He knocks Stone down with a right cross after about 10 seconds. Somehow Stone manages to get to his feet though, and then complains to the ref about a low blow! The ref just shakes him off, but when he turns around he is looking the wrong way for a split second as Stone lashes out with a kick and nails Cobb in the groin. Stone is all over him with punches, trying to end it. Cobb falls to the mat holding his groin. Stone doesn’t let him go though and straddles him, laying in a few more punches before the ref pulls him off. The ref makes it clear that one more outburst like that and he will be disqualified. Cobb complains to the ref about a low blow, but the ref just shakes him off and starts the count. Cobb returns to action right away, but is still defending his groin with one hand while using the other to fight off Stone. One handed it makes this match more even, and the two trade shots for the remainder of the round.

Round 3:Cobb is mad now, and back to fighting with two hands. He absolutely pummels Stone early in the round, knocking him clear out of the ring. Cobb sticks his head through the ropes and jaws at Stone. For some reason this sets off Bad News Allen (one of the judges, presumably pressed into service based on his Judo experience). Allen starts jawing with Cobb while Gadasky tries to get Cobb back in the ring. Gadasky is blocking Cobb’s arms, so he can’t defend himself when Allen lashes out nailing him with a judo chop to the shoulder and another to the face. Cobb goes down. There is mayhem, but Allen helps Stone to his feet and back into the ring, while Gadasky helps Cobb. The clock had been stopped when Stone fell out of the ring and there is still 1:38 left in the round and match when it resumes. Cobb is a bit dazed, and wobbly but Stone still has to basically run, flee, hide, and clinch to stay alive. With a few seconds left in the round Cobb lands a shot to the head of Stone and knocks him down again. The bell signals the end of the round, but a fighter can’t be saved by the bell in the final round. Somehow Stone manages to grab the ropes though and drag himself to his feet to beat the count.

We go to the judges cards.
Judge Marty Goldstein has the bout 30-25 for Tex Cobb.

Judge Bad News Allen scores the bout 29-27 for Tom Stone.

And

Judge Wyatt Hall decides the bout 30-26 for Tex Cobb.

Tex Cobb defeats Tom Stone in an exhibition Boxing match by split decision
Rocky Stone and Bad News Allen, who has joined him in his corner now, are livid with Hall’s scoring of the bout and the final decision. Stone says if that’s all he can do as a Pro Boxer then he won’t be able to wrestle himself out of a wet paper bag. Stone tells him to go back to Hollywood or Atlantic City where the promoters can fix his matches for him. Cobb is really pissed off now, and it takes a full security detail to keep him away from Stone. He challenges him to a wrestling match on November 19th here in RCW. Stone is taken aback and hesitant, but under the prodding of Bad News Allen he accepts.

Well that’s it for a memorable and chaotic edition of River City Wrestling…

See ya next week!!