Episode Eight: LWA Overdrive Emanating from McAlister Fieldhouse in Charleston, SC
The show opens on a pre-recorded backstage promo from Ric Flair, arrogant smile stretched across his face. “You hear that, Bob Backlund? That’s the sound of Jack Tunney and the other suits atop the LWA Towers breathing a huge sigh of relief. You see, when this series started, they had two possibilities to become the new face of the company. They had you, a family man with no personality who lets his wife call the shots for him. Yeah…that’ll put butts in seats. Or they had me, the limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheeling and dealing son of a gun. Now that I’m up 2-0 in the series and cruising my way to certain victory, they’re happily working up the billboards, the merchandise, and the whole nine yards. I’m going to enjoy beating you in your back yard next, Backlund…once I do that, the championship committee will know better than to EVER give you a shot at MY world title. Woooo!”
Now live in the arena, Caudle says, “Strong words from Ric Flair, but who could blame him for being confident now that he holds the 2-0 lead in the series?” Schiavone says, “I can’t really argue. Fans, we’ll have highlights later of the latest matchup in the Flair-Backlund series, but for now let’s go to the ring.”
Paul Orndorff/??? v. King Tonga/??? (w/ The Grand Wizard)
Orndorff comes through the entryway to his familiar “I’m a Fighter” theme, but stops and gestures back to await his partner. Through the entry comes Peter Maivia to a nice ovation. These two will be teaming up to face The Grand Wizard’s duo. Out comes The Grand Wizard with King Tonga to considerable heat. The Wizard grabs a microphone and says, “Orndorff, I told you that if you were smart, you would turn down this challenge. Of course, you’re a musclehead, so here we are. Your fate stands right behind that curtain…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et2QmZhNMyM
Schiavone says, “Wh…what?!? That’s Jimmy Snuka’s music!” Sure enough, the Superfly appears from the back, shooting a savage glare straight at Paul Orndorff as he walks to the ring. Caudle says, “Wow. The Wizard really delivered on this one. Jimmy Snuka was absolutely dominant in the Pacific Northwest. He’s extremely dangerous, and will tear you limb from limb without feeling an ounce of remorse. What an addition to the Wizard’s stable.”
The match starts with Orndorff and Tonga facing off. They battle for a decent length of time until a double clothesline leaves them both laying flat on their backs. Schiavone comments that if one of them can reach their partner first, the fresh man should be able to make quick work of whatever is left of Orndorff or Tonga. Both men stir though, and tag out nearly simultaneously to their respective partners. From here, Snuka proceeds to put on an absolute clinic against Maivia, hitting him with a series of chops, headbutts, and aerial maneuevers. He heads to the top and comes flying off with a splash that Caudle coins the “Superfly Splash.” He makes the cover, and while Orndorff tries to get in the ring, The Grand Wizard grabs a hold of his legs and stops him from making the save…Snuka scores the three-count on Maivia. As Orndorff comes in to clear the ring and tend to his partner, the winning team leaves…the Wizard and King Tonga smirk at Orndorff while Snuka keeps his eyes trained on him in an animalistic stare as he slowly backs into the dressing room. Schiavone sounds awe-struck as he says, “What an impressive debut for the Superfly…”
Winners: King Tonga and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka
LWA Update: Hosted by Gene Okerlund
Okerlund introduces a highlight clip of Flair’s second victory in the championship series. Flair had worked the leg for the entirety of the match, and then when Backlund attempted to lift him for a suplex his leg gave out. Flair fell on top for the pin, but only got a very close near-fall. Not wasting the opportunity though, Flair got up and dropped the knee on Backlund’s injured leg before cinching in the figure-four leglock. Backlund fought valiantly to get out, but eventually was forced to tap.
Gene notes that as beating Flair four consecutive times might prove to be a basically impossible task, Backlund is in a must-win situation in the third match of this series, which will take place at a big show at the Met Center in Bloomington, MN this weekend. Okerlund notes that also on this card, Ron Simmons will face off with Bam Bam Bigelow in the next match of the round robin to determine the #1 contendership for the North American Title. “If you’re anywhere in the Midwest, ladies and gentlemen, you do NOT want to miss this show. It is going to be a classic. For Update, I’m Gene Okerlund.”
Leaping Lanny Poffo v. Pete Putsover
Poffo comes out and reads a poem that amuses the Charleston crowd. What appears to be a basic squash match gets interrupted, as Killer Kowalski emerges through the curtain and slowly walks to the ring. He walks into the middle of the match, methodically destroys both men, and then walks out without ever changing expression.
No Contest
“Dirty” Dick Murdoch v. Jobby Keaton
The match is spent on the announcers putting over Murdoch as a promising up-and-comer. No twists in this squash match, as Murdoch dominates the match and finishes it off with a brainbuster.
Winner: “Dirty” Dick Murdoch
Mean Gene Backstage With Bob Backlund
Okerlund says, “Been trying to get a word with Bob Backlund for the past few days, but –“ Backlund walks into the shot, and Gene says, “Bob! Bob! I just want to get a word with you about your state of mind regarding the championship series.” Backlund gives Gene a serious look, shakes his head, and walks off without another word. Okerlund: “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Bob Backlund get rattled like this, but to be honest I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose back-to-back matches either…Tony Schiavone, back to you.”
LWA Tag Team Title Match: The Steiner Brothers vs. The Eliminators
The Eliminators enter first to a great ovation, signaling to all that there will be gold around their waists soon. The Steiners are all by themselves this week, as Tony Schiavone notes that Sunny is conspicuous by her absence due to being banned along with the rest of the Varsity Club from ringside by LWA President Jack Tunney for this match.
The match is a back-and-forth classic, with both teams getting a fairly equal share of offense in. The turning point comes when Scott Steiner holds Perry Saturn up for Rick to clobber him, only to have Saturn move out of the way and Rick to accidentally hit Scott. Kronus clears the ring of Rick, and then the Eliminators set Scott up for the Total Elimination. They hit it, and go for the cover. 1, 2…and what was undoubtedly going to be three is broken up, as out of absolutely nowhere the Sheepherders descend upon the ring and break up the pin. Schiavone says, “Wha…what are the Sheepherders doing here?!?” The bell rings after this interference, and Finkel announces that the Eliminators have won by disqualification. The Sheepherders bring in weapons and absolutely destroy the Eliminators, leaving both men bloody as The Grand Wizard cheers on their efforts. As they are left laying, the Steiners hold up their tag belts triumphantly as they limp to the back; Schiavone and Caudle express their disgust with how the can possibly be proud of themselves. The crowd boos loudly, and some debris is thrown into the ring at the Sheepherders. Schiavone says, “Fans, I have no idea what to make of this…I just…we’ll see you next week,” as the show goes off the air.
Winners: The Eliminators (via disqualification)
Two Plus Two
Linear Mode
