5/25/85 - GCW Superstars

5/25/85 - GCW Superstars (TAPED: 5/7/85)
LOCATION: Mid-Hudson Civic Center - Poughkeepsie, NY

What an action packed episode of GCW Superstars we have on tap for you today! Gorilla Monsoon and Mark Niemiller were here as usual, and they ran down the events for the show. The big news is that with Dusty Rhodes and Stan Hansen at each other's throats, they have a lot of grievances to air. They will be in the ring, face-to-face, on today's program to do just that! Not only that, but World champion Bob Backlund will be in action, as will the World Tag Team champions, the Rock 'N Roll Express! The Rougeau Brothers take on the Midnight Express, Junkyard Dog is here, and he get out first look at the Japanese Assassin in an actual match as Shiro Koshinaka meets "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in our main event!

MATCH #1
Non-Title Match
Bob Backlund (World champion) vs. Tony Russo

Bob Backlund had perhaps the toughest week a World champion has ever had, first having to defend his title against Dusty Rhodes, and then one week later against Stan Hansen. Not only did he make those defenses, but he made them successful, still reigning as the World champion. Backlund may have had a tough time with those matches, but he had it incredibly easier here, making short work out of Tony Russo.

Bob Backlund pinned Tony Russo after a kneedrop in 0:02:25.
Rating: * 1/4

BOB BACKLUND IS SCOUTING A TAG TEAM PARTNER

Backlund grabbed both the World Title and the microphone after his victory. Backlund announced that he had big news, and that was that on June 21 at Madison Square Garden, the main event would be a tag match. It would be Backlund and a partner of his choosing against Dusty Rhodes & Stan Hansen. Backlund said that something like this is normally a match he would be upset to be thrown in, saying it is below him. But he says this time, he sees it as an opportunity to eliminate the two biggest threats to his World Title at the same time. He added that with how much tension there was between Rhodes & Hansen, they would be easy to pick apart at MSG. Backlund said he will be searching for a tag team partner to put an end to Rhodes & Hansen once and for all.

Monsoon couldn't believe how confident Backlund was, but Niemiller chimed in that in made sense. With Rhodes and Hansen at such odds with each other, now is the perfect time for Backlund to swoop in and establish that he is the top wrestler in this sport. Monsoon added that a lot of this is speculation, and more would be answered after the American Dream and the Lariat had their face-to-face later.

MATCH #2
Non-Title Match
The Rock 'N Roll Express (World Tag Team champions) vs. Ron Shaw/John Bonello

Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson also had a successful title defense last Saturday night in Boston, finally putting their issues with the Midnight Express behind them once and for all. Even though the fans were happy to see that happen, the British Bulldogs were not, because they felt that they should have gotten the title shot in Boston instead. Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith were with manager "Captain" Lou Albano for an insert promo as the Rock 'N Roll Express were being introduced. Albano was all fired up, saying that even if it wasn't when they deserved it, it's always better to get your title shot late than never. Albano said there was no question in his mind that the British Bulldogs were the next World Tag Team champions, and that history would be made in New York. No doubt that the Bulldogs are confident about finally getting their shot, but the Rock 'N Roll Express are confident too. The 2-time champions showed exactly why they're the best team in the wrestling world right now, defeating Ron Shaw & John Bonello when Gibson locked on his Leglock. The RnR have insisted they meant no disrespect to the Bulldogs by choosing the Midnight Express for the last title shot over them. Niemiller wasn't quite buying it, and said that intentional or not, Morton & Gibson have lit a fire under the Bulldogs that they might not be able to extinguish.

The Rock 'N Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) defeated Ron Shaw and John Bonello when R. Gibson made Bonello submit to the Gibson Leglock in 0:03:59.
Rating: 3/4*

DINO BRAVO PROMO VIDEO

Before going to break, a promo video was aired featuring "Canadian Strongman" Dino Bravo. The video mostly showcased Bravo's strength, showing several instances of Bravo lifting large amounts of weight in the gym. I know Bravo says he is Canada's Strongest Man, but seeing a video like this really cements that fact. Bravo is very strong. Not too much groundbreaking in this promo, but it definitely reminded us all that Bravo is a force to be reckoned with.

MATCH #3
The Rougeau Brothers vs. The Midnight Express (w/ Jim Cornette)

This has not been Jim Cornette's week. Not only did his Midnight Express fall short in recapturing the World Tag Team Titles, but after a blow up with Bad News Brown, he has parted ways with his bodyguard. Cornette looked super paranoid, which I guess is understandable the first time you're out for a match without protection. Cornette was distracted, which didn't serve his team well against the Rougeau Brothers. The Rougeaus were pleased as punch to be here, and Jacques & Raymond were doing very well for themselves while the Midnight Express was floundering without any real guidance. It was when Condrey & Rose opted to cheat more that they got the match in their favor, putting Raymond away with the Rocket Launcher.

The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose) defeated The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) when Condrey pinned R. Rougeau after the Rocket Launcher in 0:06:38.
Rating: ** 3/4

After the match, Cornette hardly seemed happy that his team had won, being more concerned that Bad News Brown was lurking in the shadows to come after him, Condrey & Rose had some strong words for Cornette as they were all heading to the back, but Cornette barely registered any of it.

MATCH #4
Junkyard Dog vs. Gary Starr

An insert promo kicked off this match, with JYD mentioning that he would be watching the main event very closely, because if Jim Duggan saves any of Shiro Koshinaka, he would finish him off. No question Junkyard Dog is focused, because the normally fun-loving goofball was not messing around in the ring against Gary Starr. Koshinaka and Freddie Blassie have gotten under JYD's skin, and today, poor Gary Starr paid the price for it. JYD didn't waste much time before planting Starr with the Thump Powerslam and picking up the win.

Junkyard Dog pinned Gary Starr with the Thump Powerslam in 0:01:31.
Rating: -1/2*

JYD danced a little after the bell, but for the most part, he was very subdued. Monsoon commented that he has never seen JYD like this. Niemiller agreed and said he hoped Blassie knew what he was doing, because JYD is not the type of guy you want to have mad at you if you don't have a plan.

LIVE EVENT REPORT WITH GENE OKERLUND

It's always exciting when we're going into a show at Madison Square Garden, and no one was more excited "Mean" Gene Okerlund. Okerlund ran down what has been announced of the card so far, including the match World champion Bob Backlund mentioned earlier. Backlund does not have a teammate scheduled as of yet, and said he would be scouting for someone to team up with him to "eliminate Dusty Rhodes & Stan Hansen." Three months ago, the thought of Rhodes & Hansen being eliminated by anyone would have been ridiculous. But now with how Rhodes & Hansen have let their desire for the World Title get in the way of their friendship, Okerlund has no idea how the two are going to coexist. Okerlund said the x factor was going to be who Backlund chooses as a partner. He said if Backlund chooses wisely, he very well could be done with two of his biggest rivals.

The other match currently scheduled is what many are already calling a dream tag team match. For the World Tag Team Titles, it will be the reigning champs, the Rock 'N Roll Express, defending the titles against the British Bulldogs. Both teams are extremely popular with wrestling fans, and already camps are developing between the fans over who they think is going to win. Okerlund said the teams are very evenly matched, and this match could very well shape the future of tag team wrestling for years to come.

MATCH #5
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. "The Japanese Assassin" Shiro Koshinaka (w/ "Classy" Freddie Blassie)

We've seen the damage that Shiro Koshinaka can do, but this was our first time seeing the Japanese Assassin in an actual match. His opponent was "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, one of Tony Atlas' best friends and a man that Koshinaka has attacked in the past. With a face to face meeting, Duggan could strike back, and he did just that in the early goings of the match, much to the chagrin of "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Duggan is still young in the wrestling world, but when he can come right at you, he is hard to stop. It looked like Hacksaw was going to bowl through for a victory, but one chop to the throat by Koshinaka slowed that momentum in a hurry. Koshinaka then showcased what kind of offense he is capable of, using a unique mix of wrestling and martial arts. Duggan fought back with brute strength, but a thrust kick and the Power Bomb cut him off to put this one away.

Shiro Koshinaka pinned Jim Duggan with the Power Bomb in 0:08:04.
Rating: * 1/2

Blassie wanted Koshinaka to continue the attack, but he never got a chance before JUNKYARD DOG chased him off.

DUSTY RHODES & STAN HANSEN TRY TO MAKE PEACE

The tension in the arena was palpable as Mark Niemiller was in the ring for our final segment. Niemiller introduced first Stan Hansen, and then Dusty Rhodes, and neither man took his eyes off the other during this. Niemiller cut right to the chase and discussed the elephant in the room, and that's how both men cost the other their respective World Title matches by attacking Bob Backlund during it. Rhodes talked first, saying that he is man enough to admit that yes, he blatantly cost Hansen the World Title, but noted that was in retaliation because one week prior, Hansen had done it to him. Hansen said he didn't want to hear it. Hansen said he didn't have to answer to Niemiller, to Rhodes, or to anybody else. Hansen said he does what he wants, when he wants, and if Rhodes has a problem with it, he could try to do something about it. Niemiller played peace keeper, and brought up the tag team match that has been signed for June 21st at MSG where Rhodes & Hansen will have to team up to face Backlund and a as of yet unannounced tag team partner. Hansen said he's not happy about having to team with Rhodes, but if it means getting his hands on Backlund, he would deal with it. Rhodes told Hansen not to do him any favors, and if he had a problem with being his tag team partner, do something about it now. Rhodes & Hansen were nose to nose when BOB BACKLUND showed up in the aisle, and uncharacteristically, just started laughing at what was happening in the ring! The broadcast went off the air with Rhodes & Hansen staring the laughing Backlund down.

Match observations:

Next week on Superstars, join us to see Jimmy "Jam" Garvin in action, as well as "The Ugandan Giant" Kamala! The Intercontinental champion Tony Atlas competes, and in the main event, Magnum T.A. defends the Television Title against "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert!

!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!

We can now report that after this show went off the air, the Midnight Express have QUIT Global Championship Wrestling! Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose said that with Jim Cornette's current issues with Bad News Brown, Cornette feared for his safety and it was best if the three of them left for awhile until things calmed down. How long that will be is anyone's guess, but I bet it will be when Bad News Brown is no longer in the picture. Either way, Condrey, Rose, & Cornette are no longer a part of the GCW roster.

6/21/85 - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - New York, NY

Bob Backlund/TBA vs. Dusty Rhodes/Stan Hansen
WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Rock 'N Roll Express (c) vs. The British Bulldogs

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