July 1985

July 7,1985
River City Wrestling #197
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Opening Bout:

Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Robbie Royce by pinfall after a flying forearm smash at 7:09

-Sharpe made his RCW debut as a mainstay. He is one of wrestling's finest opening acts as he really knows how to get a crowd angry and frustrated.

Bout #2:

King Tonga defeated Man Mountain Mike by submission to the Tongan death grip at 2:45

-squash match. Tonga looks lost out there without his manager Miss Hartel

Bout #3

Brad Armstrong defeated Brian Jewel by submission to the figure-four leglock at 6:36

-Another RCW debut, this time for Brad Armstrong. His fast pace and wrestling repetoire make a great addition to the RCW roster.

Pre-Match:

Tawney England demanded one more title shot at her sister Corrie. The champion ended up agreeing under one condition. If Tawney did not win the belt this time then it would be her last title shot at her sister. Tawney agreed to the stipulation.

Bout #4

Candian Women's Title Match

Corrie England defeated Tawney England after ramming her head into an exposed turnbuckle during a ref bump at 10:26

[Corrie England retains the Canadian Women's Title]

-rough break for Tawney, as her sister exposed the turnbuckle but Tawney almost turned the tables on her.

[end of first hour]

Interview:

A face from years past, evil if not comical wrestler turned manager Mr. Ho came to the ring to announce his return as a manager in River City Wrestling. The fans did not roll out the welcome mat for him.

Bout #5

Joe & Dean Malenko defeated Ben Bassarab & Billy Robinson by pinfall when Joe pinned Bassarab with a bridge at 9:30

-Another debut in RCW, the Malenkos.

Bout #6

Bobby Duncum defeated Bad News Allen by pinfall after a bulldog at 12:51

-both men were bloodied by the end of the match.

Post-Match:

Allen got on the microphone and aplogized to the fans for the way he had been acting with George Wells. However, he says this is the end of the road for him in RCW, and he just wanted to come out and thank them one more time for the support they have given him the last couple of years. It's been a long stay in RCW since his arrival from Stampede and he hopes to return one day. The fans gave him a nice round of applause.

Interview:

The new RCW Heavyweight champion Jerry Blackwell came to the ring with his two title belts. He then called out matchmaker Marty Goldstein. He threw the TV belt down at Marty's feet and told him to "fetch" that he didn't need that one any more.

This brought out former champion Jim Brunzell to the ring. Brunzell railed Blackwell for his lack of respect for RCW. Blackwell says why would he respect a place that he ran over in less then 2 months? Brunzell demands his rematch. Blackwell says of course he can have his rematch but this time, unlike in Milwaukee where he was assaulted by the guest referee Brunzell's friend the Crusher, this time it would be him that would get to appoint a guest referee. Brunzell was backed into a corner. Goldstein told him that he didn't have to do it, that he would force Blackwell to defend the title. Jerry said that was true, and if Brunzell was willing to wait another 3 weeks then okay, but if he wants the title shot next week, then he gets to name the guest referee. Brunzell finally agreed, but Blackwell said everyone would have to wait for the match next week to find out who that man would be.

Main Event

RCW Tag Team Title Match

Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer defeated Larry Hennig & Wahoo McDaniel by pinfall when Superstar pinned Hennig after a corkscrew neckbreaker at 9:50

-another good match between these powerhouse teams but no real reason for Hennig & McDaniel to be getting another rematch.

Interview;

At the night's conclusion Goldstein made the announcement that an 8 man tournament for the now vacant TV Title would be held. Next week the selection process will occur with a 12-man Battle Royal. The final 8 left in the ring would advance to the tournament, with seatings determined by the finish in the battle royal. The winner would be seeded #1, second place #2, and so on for the single elimination tournament which will then begin the following week.

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

See ya next week!!!

July 14,1985
River City Wrestling #198
Regina, Saskatchewan

Opening Bout:

Brad Armstrong defeated King Tonga by pinfall after a rolling reverse cradle at 6:52

-Tonga was on his way to winning this match but Mr. Ho came out to rinside to scout the match and for some reason Tonga didn't appreciate this and allowed it to distract him. Armstrong took advantage with a dropkick from behind into the turnbuckle and then the roll up for the victory.

Post-Match:

Brad Armstrong celebrated his victory until King Tonga decimated him from behind with a clothesline and then locked on the Tongan deathgrip. He was crazy, and the only reason he released the hold was Mr. Ho came up to the ring apron. When Tonga released the hold though it became obvious to Ho this was not a good idea and he fled to the back.

Bout #2

The Red Fox defeated Orka by pinfall after a flying leg lariat at 5:04

-Red Fox followed RCW from her home Arizona after their recent run there to RCW. With her fiery redhair and good looks she was an instant favorite with the fans.

Bout #3

Dean & Joe Malenko defeated Black Demon and Larry Stamp by pinfall when Joe pinned Demon after a German suplex at 4:32

-The Malenkos impressed again but they really need some good competition.

Post-Match:

The Malenkos were being interviewed when Masked Superstar and Super Destroyer hit the ring with their title belts and attacked them from behind. They gave them a good beating before being ushered away by RCW officials.

Bout #4

Larry Hennig defeated Brian Jewel by pinfall after the Big Axe at 2:59

-squash match

Post-Match interview:

Larry Hennig was interviewed about his upcoming plans. While he said that a run at Jerry Blackwell's Heavyweight title might be in the future plans, he did not enter into the battle royal tonight for seeding in the TV tournament because he still has those tag champs stuck in his craw. He and Wahoo just couldn't get the job done so he's decided to maybe look for a new partner. Ron Strong dropped many names but the only ones that Hennig seemed to like were Brad Rheinghans and his own son Curt Hennig.

[end of first hour]

Bout #5

12 Man Battle Royal

For Seeding in TV Tournament

Top 8 finishers qualify

Place / Competitor / who eliminated / time

12. Black Demon [MMM] 0:31

11. Brian Jewel [Lyon] 2:34

10. Red Demon [Duncum] 2:41

9. Larry Stamp [Tonga] 4:03

****************************************

8. Chris Lyon [Hestrerey, Bassarab] 6:35

7. Man Mountain Mike [Tonga] 7:20

6. Brad Armstrong [Bassarab] 9:50

5. King Tonga [Duncum, Hestrerey, Bassarab] 11:19

4. Iron Mike Sharpe [Hestrerey] 13:08

3. Ben Bassarab [Hestrerey] 15:13

2. Tod Hestrerey [Duncum] 16:58

Winner: Bobby Duncum

Notes: Tonga was once again distracted by an apeparance by Mr. Ho which made it possible for the 3 on 1 attack.

Iron Mike Sharpe pretty much worked a no-hitter managing to avoid most contact until the very end.

When Chris Lyon got thrown out it certainly appeared that Duncum might have been able to help him out but didn't, choosing to rest in the corner instead.

Brad Armstrong and Ben Bassarab had some great chemistry going between each other, and a singles match between these two might be very promising.

Main Event

RCW Heavyweight Title Match

Special Guest Referee: Dr. D. David Schultz

Jerry Blackwell (champion) v Jim Brunzell

As could be expected Schultz was pretty much one sided. He stopped Brunzell's momentum whenever possible by accusing him of illegal tactics, and on the other hand he turned towards the announce table to ask questions whenever Blacwkell wanted to cheat. Blackwell kept asking him to check the time, and when he would do so he would lay it into Brunzell. This kept up until about 5 mintues in when Marty Goldstein came down to ringside and told Schultz to call it right down the middle "or else" and he pointed to his eye, saying I'm watching you.

But the damage was pretty much done and though Brunzell made a couple of mini comebacks, Blackwell was too large to take away all the momentum. However when Blacwkell tried to finish off Brunzell, first with a dropkick then with a splash, both times the former champ managed to survive, the second time by drapping a foot over the bottom strand. He complained to Schultz that he wasn't counting fast enough but Schultz just pointed to Goldstein.

Blackwell whipped Brunzell into the corner. He went after him with an avalanche but Brunzell moved out of the way, and then planting his arms around the corner he kicked out driving Blackwell backward. The behemoth champion stumbled back catching Schultz standing behind him and both men went down. Brunzell climbed to the top turnbuckle and came off with a flying dropkick right when the champ was getting to his feet. He covered but Schultz was still out.

The fans were going nuts, so commissioner Marty Goldstein slid into the ring and counted the 1, 2, 3!!!

New Champion!!!

Jim Brunzell defeated Jerry Blackwell by pinfall after a top rope flying dropkick at 15:28

[Jim Brunzell wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]

Post-Match:

Goldstein and Brunzell celebrated the awarding of the title outside the ring despite the objections of Blackell. The former champ slid back into the ring when Schultz had recovered to complain to him about the title situation. Schultz begged off though nursing his head. As soon as Blackwell turned his back Schultz pulled out a pair of brass knux from his pocket and nailed the behemoth from behind, levelling him. He laid in a few boots for good measure and then pointed at Brunzell and his title belt, saying he was going to tke it back.

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

See ya next week!!!

July 20,1985
River City Wrestling #199
Edmonton, Alberta

Interview: Chris Lyon & Bobby Duncum

Tonight's main event will be a Quarterfinal match in the TV Title tournament but will feature the #1 seeded Bobby Duncum against his friend and #8 seed Chris Lyon. Ron Strong seems to have fun trying to stir up trouble between the two but has no luck. Even when he suggests that Bobby Duncum could have done more to save Chris from early elimination in the seeding battle royal last week both men seem to shake it off. Strong says they seem to be "thick as thieves", a comment which they don't appreciate at all.

Opening Bout:

Wahoo McDaniel defeated Iron Duke by pinfall after Tomahawk Chop at 3:13

-squash match

Interview:

Wahoo McDaniel is interviewed and is a bit surprised that his former tag partner Larry Hennig is looking for a new partner to continue to go after the tag belts. Wahoo says he doesn't know yet what he is going to do, either go after singles gold that Jerry Blackwell holds or get himself a new tag partner as well.

Promo; WWF Comes to the Met Center in Minneapolis tomorrow night.

WWF World Champ Hulk Hogan to defend against Roddy Piper

Paul Orndorff seeks revenge against former friend Bob Orton Jr.

Hart Foundation tangle with the British Bulldogs

Terry Funk sees action against SD Jones

and much more

Bout #2

The Red Fox defeated Natasha by pinfall after a superplex at 6:15

-very competitive match with two young girls who fight a similar style.

Post-Match:

Tawney England comes out to the ring to introduce herself to Red Fox and to congratulate her on her two big victories. She tells Red Fox that she hopes she will be going after Corrie England's women's title. Red Fox thanks her for her support and says she has decided to stay in RCW for a while, and yes she has her eyes on the Canadian Women't Title.

Bout #3

Non-Title Match

Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer defeated Verne Siebert & Bad Boy Burch by pinfall when SD pinned Siebert after a piledriver at 5:40

-squash match

Interview:

The tag champs are interviewed, Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer. Ron Strong asks them what reason they possibly had for the vicious attack they perpetrated last week on the Malenkos.

Superstar said to call it a premptive strike. They know that all the teams out there are gunning for the tag team belts, that eventually the Malenkos would come knocking for a title shot. Well they have never been ones to do things on other people's terms, so they decided to beat the snot out of the Malnekos ahead of time to put the favor in their advantage.

SD tells the Malenkos if they want revenge, then come and get it next week. But since its for revenge it will be a non-title match. If they want a title match they will have to earn it.

Promo;

Universal Studios looks to have the number one and two movies this weekend at the box office.

"Back to the Future" starring Michael J. Fox looks to hold onto its #1 spot in its 3rd weekend of release. However, it will have to fight off the Universal re-release of "E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial" the reigning top box office movie of all-time.

Bout #4

Quarter-Final Match For the Vacant RCW TV Title

King Tonga (#5) defeated Iron Mike Sharpe (#4) by submission to the Tongan Death Grip at 6:33

-Mr. Ho made another scouting appearance and once again this distraction led to Tonga almost losing the match, However, Sharpe took too long to gloat to the fans and this allowed Tonga to recover and surprise "Canada's Greatest Athlete" with his finisher.

[end of first hour]

Interview:

Commissioner Marty Goldstein comes to the ring with head of officials George Gadasky. Goldstein then calls out new champion Jim Brunzell and former champion Jerry Blackwell. However, the fans are surprised when they see that Blackwell is actually carrying the belt and looking quite smug.

Goldstein looks like he ate a bar of soap when he makes the announcement that last week's decision has been overturned. Goldstein says that senior official George Gadasky came to him after the match and reminded him of the RCW by-laws that state that only a sanctioned referee, the referre of record, can officiate a bout. Since Goldstein was not a sanctioned referee not the referee of record for that bout, even though he is the commissioner, the pinfall he counted was meaningless. Offically the record of the bout will change to a no-contest and Jerry Blackwell remains the RCW Heavyweight champion.

This does not sit well with the fans. For his part Brunzell is keeping relatively calm, but he is seething.

Goldstein says that next week these two will meet once again, one final time, and the referee will not be a special guest referee, not the commissioner, but the senior referee himself George Gadasky.

Bout #5

Quarter-Final Match For the Vacant RCW TV Title

Ben Bassarab (#3) defeated Brad Armstrong (#6) by pinfall after a flying cross body block and some outside interference at 11:23

-this was turning into a fantastic match between probably the two best high flyers on the roster. It was spoiled however with the inexplicable interference by Mr. Ho who had come out again to scout. Instead he tripped up Armstrong at a critical point without the ref seeing and this allowed Bassarab to turn the tables and pick up the win.

Promo:

Tonight on "Good Rockin' Tonite" featured videos will include; Never Surrender - Corey Hart, Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young, The Goonies R Good Enough - Cyndi Lauper, You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) - Dead or Alive, and Crying Over You - Platinum Blonde.

Bout #6

Quarter-Final Match For the Vacant RCW TV Title

Tod Hestrerey (#3) defeated Man Mountain Mike (#7) by submission to the half-Boston crab at 9:30

-Hestrerey had tried to get MMM to submit to the Boston crab but the guy was just too big and managed to power out of it. After working the lower back again later in the match Tod changed tactics and went to a half-Boston which allowed him to put more weight and pressure on the one side, crank up MMM higher over in the position, and MMM could not use his free weight as he could not leverage his large body up off the mat from that position. It worked perfectly and got him the victory.

Promo; On Tonight's Evening News

-President Reagan's return from hospital after cancer surgery reported

-Continued search for survivors after dam collapse in Tesero, Italy

-Declaration of state of emergency by president of South Africa. Protests said to occur in black townships where opposition to apartheid and unemployment are rising.

-Results of race between runners Mary Decker Slaney and Zola Budd in London. Incident between two in 1984 Olympics recalled.

Main Event

Quarter-Final Match For the Vacant RCW TV Title

Chris Lyon (#8) defeated Bobby Duncum (#1) by submission to the Boston crab at 12:25

-former tag team partners, still friends these two had some initial problems locking up. Once Duncum overpowered Lyon however, the competitive juices began to flow and Lyon fired back with a chop to the throat. The gloves came off after that and it was a back and forth match that got nasty for a spell outside the ring that saw Duncum smash Lyon's head onto the announce table busting it wide open. Later in the match Lyon caught Duncum with a top rope dropkick right to the lower back. He followed this with some stomps and then a slingshot suplex. He then put on the Boston crab. Duncum lasted as long as he could but after over a minute in the hold finally cried uncle.

Post-Match:

Lyon offered a handshake to Duncum who at first did not accept but after exchanging some words with Lyon finally relented. The two shook hands, and with Lyon's face a crimson mask left the ring together.

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

See ya next week!!!

July 27,1985
River City Wrestling #200
Calgary, AB

Opening Bout:

The Red Fox & Tawney England defeated Corrie England & Natasha when Fox pinned Natasha after a flying crossbody block at 8:42

-match featured all 4 ladies well but Corrie wanted nothing to do with Red Fox. This sets up Red Fox for a title shot at Corrie.

Bout #2

RCW TV Title Tournament Semi-Final

Ben Bassarab defeated Tod Hestrerey by pinfall after a reverse roll-up using the ropes illegally for leverage at 12:30

-excellent high paced match but Bassarab got in a nice piece of cheating to pick up the win.

Bout #3

Brad Armstrong defeated Iron Mike Sharpe by pinfall after a Russian legsweep at 6:35

-this was a hard loss for Sharpe to swallow and after the match he nailed the youngster once in the back of the head with his "injured" forearm in a brace.

Pre-Match:

Marty Goldstein came to the ring and called out Mr. Ho. He told him that he has continually come out to watch the matches, distracting wrestlers, and now interfering in matches. Mr. Ho says he felt terrible about costing Tonga his match in the tournament and thought he might make up for it by making sure the underserving Brad Armstrong did not advance.

Goldstein is furious and tells him to stay away from ringside unless he is officially the manager for a wrestler competing in the match.

Mr. Ho says he just happens to have a new wrestler and tells Goldstein to call out someone to wrestle him. Goldstein calls out 350 pound Man Mountain Mike. Then Mr. Ho calls out his wrestler, a 6'1 270 pound Japanese grappler by the name of Yoshiaki Yatsu.

Bout #4

Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Man Mountain Mike by submission with the figure-four sleeperhold at 2:53

-squash match.

[end of first hour]

Bout #5

RCW TV Title Tournament Semi-Final Match

Chris Lyon defeated King Tonga by countout at 10:21

-After controlling the first half of the match by cheating Lyon found himself all but beat in this bout. Tonga had him flat on his back in the middle of the ring after a sidewalk slam, ready to be pinned. But once again Mr. Ho came to ringside, this time accompanied by Yatsu. Tonga looked at them, then at Lyon, and then left the ring and followed Ho & Yatsu out of the ring and to the back.

Bout #6

Non-Title Match

Joe & Dean Malenko defeated Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer by disqualification for a foreign object at 11:05

-fairly even match, but you got the feeling that the masked champions were holding something in reserve. The Malenkos often controlled the action but failed to do a lot of big damage to the champions. It's still doubtful that the match was in jeopardy when Masked Superstar elected to wrap a chain around his fist and nail Joe Malenko in the head while his arms were held behind his back by SD, busting him wide open and causing the dq.

Post-Match:

The brawl continued between the 4 men outside the ring and into the crowd. It was eventually broken up by RCW officials.

Main Event

RCW Heavyweight Title Match

Jerry Blackwell (champion) v Jim Brunzell

Brunzell controlled early, getting Blackwell off his feet and doing everything he could legally to keep him that way. When the champ finally got to the ropes for a break and stood up, Brunzell took him down again with a double leg takedown. He worked him more on the mat but the champ eventually got to the ropes again. Brunzell went to the well once too often for a double leg and Blackwell caught him with a knee to the head. He then lifted him up by the ears and slapped him hard across the chest. When Brunzell bent over in pain Blackwell nailed him with a double axhandle to the back, and then dropped his knees right onto the back of Brunzell's head. After failing to get the pin he worked a standing headlock. Brunzell tried to throw him off, but Blackwell held his ground. It actually looked like Blackwell might win the match with this pedestrian move. But Dr. D David Schultz came out to ringside to have a few words with the champ. This distraction allowed Brunzell to slip out of the hold, and slide out of the ring to recover a bit while Blackwell and Schultz exchanged verbal barbs. Officials got Schultz away from the ring and the match resumed.

Brunzell had a brief comeback but Blackwell ended it when he swatted the former High Flyer to the side on a dropkick attempt and then landed a splash onto Brunzell's side. Jimmy grabbed his vulnerable ribs, the same side previously injured. Like a piranah to blood the champ attacked the ribs of Brunzell. He made the challenger waste energy getting in and out of the ring several times when tossed to the floor.

Once again Brunzell fired back at the champ but couldn't get him off his feet. Brunzell went for a missile dropkick from the top rope but Blackwell deftly dodged the move and once again followed up with a devastating splash on the injured ribs. This time he got the pin.

Jerry Blackwell defeated Jim Brunzell by pinfall after a splash at 12:13

[Jerry Blackwell retains the RCW Heavyweight Title]

Post-Match:

Blackwell is presented with the championship belt. He grabs a mic and screams at David Schultz that he has stuck his nose in the wrong guy's business. He threatens Schultz with a revenge beating.

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

See ya next week!!

Breaking Kayfabe:

The last card in July was #200 in RCW history. However, this numbering system is not really meant to be conclusive. House shows may be run and not shown, all shows are not weekly TV shows, etc, so the #200 is not significant from a storyline perspective. It's only significant in a breaking kayrab point of view in that it is the 200th card posted for RCW.

By this time relations are souring with WWF and Vince McMahon. With Verne Gagne's AWA all but on life support (cards in Winnipeg would stop being run by AWA in early 1986, and in Chicago by sprin gof 1986) the WWF's need of RCW has decreased. Vince also scooped the British Bulldogs from RCW which left a sour taste in RCW's mouth. A big fall feud was to occur between Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer and The British Bulldogs but it went out the window with the WWF signing. By this time Vince is already sniffing around a lot of the guys being used by RCW including King Tonga, Jim Brunzell, Iron Mike Sharpe, and Masked Superstar.