Blackjack Lanza made Jerry Lawler submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:14:55.
Rating: *** 1/2
[Bobby Heenan interfered against Jerry Lawler.]
For the second show in a row, Jerry "The King" Lawler insisted that he wrestle against Blackjack Lanza, wanting to be the man who ends that undefeated streak. Lawler learned from his mistakes in the first match, and took Lanza closer to the limit than anyone has up to this point. It took Bobby Heenan jumping up on the ring apron after Lawler had hit the Piledriver to buy Lanza the time to recover. Lawler grabbed Heenan by the shirt and was going to deck him, but Lanza spun him around and locked on the Blackjack Claw to get the win. Lanza is still undefeated, but that was as close as it gets.
Gorilla Monsoon and Tony Garea defeated The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) when Monsoon defeated Bockwinkel by countout in 0:04:34.
Rating: * 3/4
(Dominic DeNucci no-showed.)
The next match was supposed to be The Cripplers defending the World Tag Team Titles against former champs Dominic DeNucci & Tony Garea, but DeNucci apparently had some travel issues and was unable to make it into Detroit in time for the show. That left Garea without a partner, but he was allowed to pick a new one, but unfortunately, it wouldn't be for the titles anymore. Garea did pick a partner, and it was a great one in GORILLA MONSOON, a former 2-time tag team champion and one of the most feared men in wrestling. Since the titles were no longer on the line, Bobby Heenan made the executive decision that he would lead Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel to the back for a countout loss instead of risking injury in a match they weren't ready for. So Monsoon & Garea get the win. However, the plan looks to have backfired on Heenan, as it has just been announced that on September 14 in Philadelphia, The Cripplers will be defending the straps against Monsoon & Garea!
Baron Von Raschke made Baron Mikel Scicluna submit to the Claw in 0:11:57.
Rating: ** 1/2
Baron Von Raschke was forced to dispatch of Baron Mikel Scicluna one more time as Lou Albano continues to refuse to fight him on his own. Seeing how dominant Raschke is, I can't say I blame Captain Lou. For the third time, Scicluna couldn't slow down his former tag team partner, falling to the Claw. Raschke still might not get Albano, but we did find out that if Pedro Morales retains the World Title tonight, he will get him instead for the gold!
Bobby Duncum defeated Jimmy Snuka by disqualification in 0:05:21.
Rating: ** 1/2
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka was far more prepared for Bobby Duncum than he was the first time around, bringing the fight right to Heenan's new charge. Snuka has a lot of pent up anger toward his former manager, and he took it out on Duncum, giving him a receipt from last month by nailing him between the eyes with his own cowbell, resulting in a DQ. Snuka didn't seem much to care though, savoring getting a bit of revenge on Duncum. With the repeated use of the bullrope, Snuka & Duncum have been signed to another match in Philly, a bullrope match! This one should be a barn burner!
Carlos Colon and Ivan Koloff battled to a double countout in 0:12:07.
Rating: ** 1/4
Carlos Colon came within an eyelash of winning the World Title in Chicago, and is in the process of trying to obtain a rematch. Lou Albano offered him a shortcut, saying he could get a rematch right away - if he could defeat Ivan Koloff. Problem is, no one has been able to defeat Ivan Koloff, as he may be an unstoppable monster. Colon was up to the challenge though, as he will do anything to get that rematch. Colon took the fight right to Koloff, pushing the Russian Bear further than anyone has to date. In fact, Colon would go down as the first man Koloff hasn't beaten soundly in a match. Colon fought hard and wrestled Koloff to a double countout. Koloff is still undefeated, but he seemed furious that he didn't put Colon away like he has so many before him. Koloff tried to put Colon's lights out post-match, but Colon ducked the Russian Sickle, causing Koloff to connect with the ring post instead and perhaps injure his arm. A rematch will be taking place in Philly, and it will be interesting to see how Koloff's arm injury affects him, if at all.
Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) when Fuji pinned Bruiser after spitting blue mist in his eyes in 0:12:35.
Rating: ** 1/2
Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher were in a foul mood tonight, still miffed over losing the World Tag Team Titles back in Chicago. They looked to take that out on Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka, but they got a whole different kind of frustration. Late in the match, Tanaka jumped in the ring to brawl with The Crusher, taking the attention of referee Danny Bartfield with him. With the ref predisposed, Fuji spit blue mist right in Bruiser's eyes! Bruiser was in a ton of pain, and was easy prey to a pinfall from Fuji. Fuji & Tanaka stole a win, but the bigger story is the health of Dick the Bruiser.
Interview:
Ernie Ladd demands to be added to the tag team match.
Before our semi-main event which was supposed to be Billy Graham & Spiros Arion taking on Billy Robinson & Don Muraco, The Grand Wizard came out with all of his men, including Ernie Ladd. The Grand Wizard grabbed the mic and demanded that this match become a 6-man tag team match. Robinson & Muraco came out and agreed to the match, and brought out their third, LUKE GRAHAM!
Billy Robinson, Don Muraco and Luke Graham defeated Billy Graham, Ernie Ladd and Spiros Arion when Muraco pinned B. Graham after a powerslam in 0:33:35.
Rating: **** 1/4
The addition of Ernie Ladd & Luke Graham made this a tremendous 6-man tag team match that went over 30 minutes. A lot of personal issues were involved and it led to a lot of hard-hitting intense wrestling. After a very hot match, we had a huge shocker as Don Muraco surprised US champion Billy Graham with a beautiful powerslam and got an upset pinfall victory! Nobody could believe it, but the rookie Muraco just pinned the US champion! As a result, Muraco has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime as he will challenge Billy Graham for the US Title in Philadelphia!
Pedro Morales pinned The Sheik after a crucifix in 0:04:49.
Rating: 1/2*
(Pedro Morales retained the GCW World Title.)
World champion Pedro Morales & local Detroit legend The Sheik have a storied history. It was The Sheik who Morales defeated to win his first singles title back in 1969. There was a lot at stake here though as The Sheik was trying to wrestle the World Title away from the most hated man in wrestling. Sheik came out fast and with much brutality, looking to put Morales away early. Sheik made one mistake though and left himself open to a crucifix from the champion, which was just enough to get the pinfall. The Sheik may have lost, but he sent the fans home happy by busting Morales open with his patented spike.
Card rating: ** 1/4
Match observations:
The Spectrum in Philadelphia better get themselves ready, because on September 14, GCW is coming back!
WORLD TITLE - Pedro Morales (c) vs. Baron Von Raschke
UNITED STATES TITLE - Billy Graham (c) vs. Don Muraco
WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Cripplers (c) vs. Tony Garea/Gorilla Monsoon
BULLROPE MATCH - Jimmy Snuka vs. Bobby Duncum
Dick the Bruiser/The Crusher vs. Mr. Fuji/Toru Tanaka
Carlos Colon vs. Ivan Koloff
Billy Robinson vs. Ernie Ladd
And also, the debut of a new tag team, Mr. Wrestling I & Mr. Wrestling II!
