Post by RT on Jun 23, 2021 2:39:16 GMT
RT
BAKER
World United Wrestling
presents
GLOBAL DOMINATION: NIGHT 2
"No More Kiddin' Around"
The second night of Global Domination promises to be even more exciting than the first. After a night of incredible action and a few big surprises, Night 2 will have once in a lifetime match-ups and even more action.
AEW World Champion vs. WWE Universal Champion
Kenny Omega vs. Roman Reigns
WUW World Championship Semi-Finals
AJ Styles vs. Adam Cole
WUW World Championship Semi-Finals
WALTER vs. Minoru Suzuki
WUW Tag Team Championship
Timothy Thatcher & "Filthy" Tom Lawlor vs. Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong)
Singles Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Aleister Black
Mixed Tag Team Match
Thunder BROsa (Matt Riddle & Thunder Rosa) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Asuka
WUW Openweight Championship
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. (c)
Loser Leaves Town Tag Team Match
The Young Bucks vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
presents
GLOBAL DOMINATION: NIGHT 2
"No More Kiddin' Around"
The second night of Global Domination promises to be even more exciting than the first. After a night of incredible action and a few big surprises, Night 2 will have once in a lifetime match-ups and even more action.
AEW World Champion vs. WWE Universal Champion
Kenny Omega vs. Roman Reigns
The main event of Night 1 saw Kenny Omega square off with AJ Styles in arguably the biggest Dream Match of the last 20 years. Though they did fight once before, it was at a small Canadian show and only the few in attendance can say they saw it. Now on one of the biggest stages of all-time, and a shot at the WUW World Championship on the line, the two former Bullet Club leaders would have their moment.
The match was exactly what everyone dreamed it would be and more...until the final moments when Roman Reigns shocked the world.
With AJ Styles refusing to stay down and Kenny Omega trying desperately to put him away, Omega hoisted Styles up for a second One Winged Angel, but as he brought Styles crashing down to earth, the referee got too close and caught Styles' boot with his face. This was the opening Roman Reigns needed. Reigns suddenly appeared at ringside much to the shock of everyone in attendance, dove into the ring, connected with a Superman Punch and a Spear on Kenny Omega before disappearing from view. Omega didn't even know what hit him and was out cold when the ref came to. AJ Styles had nothing left in him, but had the presence of mind to throw his arm across Omega's chest and the 3-count was made.
The biggest match of the new millennium ended with boos and trash being tossed in Reigns' direction, but has also set up yet another dream match on Night 2. The AEW World Champion and the WWE Universal Champion will square off in a ring for probably the only time ever. Who will get the win and claim the throne of the biggest star in wrestling today?
The match was exactly what everyone dreamed it would be and more...until the final moments when Roman Reigns shocked the world.
With AJ Styles refusing to stay down and Kenny Omega trying desperately to put him away, Omega hoisted Styles up for a second One Winged Angel, but as he brought Styles crashing down to earth, the referee got too close and caught Styles' boot with his face. This was the opening Roman Reigns needed. Reigns suddenly appeared at ringside much to the shock of everyone in attendance, dove into the ring, connected with a Superman Punch and a Spear on Kenny Omega before disappearing from view. Omega didn't even know what hit him and was out cold when the ref came to. AJ Styles had nothing left in him, but had the presence of mind to throw his arm across Omega's chest and the 3-count was made.
The biggest match of the new millennium ended with boos and trash being tossed in Reigns' direction, but has also set up yet another dream match on Night 2. The AEW World Champion and the WWE Universal Champion will square off in a ring for probably the only time ever. Who will get the win and claim the throne of the biggest star in wrestling today?
WUW World Championship Semi-Finals
AJ Styles vs. Adam Cole
We know how AJ Styles got here but the big story of this match is Adam Cole getting arguably the biggest win of his career over Shinsuke Nakamura. The King of Strong Style was the heavy favourite in their qualifying match but Cole outlasted him and eventually got the win.
Now on the second night in a row we have two former Bullet Club members squaring off in a rematch that many have wanted to see for a long time, and the winner gets a shot at the WUW World Championship. Once again, Cole is the underdog here, so will AJ Styles beat Cole for a second time and move on, or will Adam Cole prove the world wrong a second night in a row?
Now on the second night in a row we have two former Bullet Club members squaring off in a rematch that many have wanted to see for a long time, and the winner gets a shot at the WUW World Championship. Once again, Cole is the underdog here, so will AJ Styles beat Cole for a second time and move on, or will Adam Cole prove the world wrong a second night in a row?
WUW World Championship Semi-Finals
WALTER vs. Minoru Suzuki
There's not a lot of story to tell in this match-up. Both men survived stiff-as-hell matches in their respective qualifiers, and both men showed they belong here in the semi-finals. Both men received their share of punishment getting here, but both also showed they can dish out punishment and pain even better than they can take it. One one side, the rising star WALTER, who can beat you just about every way imaginable. On the other, the grizzled veteran Minoru Suzuki, who has survived every pain and punishment imaginable and dished out twice as much.
This is going to be a straight up war and you have to assume that the winner of Styles vs. Cole is salivating at the idea of their potential opponent going through hell the night before facing them in the finals.
This is going to be a straight up war and you have to assume that the winner of Styles vs. Cole is salivating at the idea of their potential opponent going through hell the night before facing them in the finals.
WUW Tag Team Championship
Timothy Thatcher & "Filthy" Tom Lawlor vs. Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong)
Last night Timothy Thatcher and Tom Lawlor faced one another in a No Holds Barred match-up that went the distance and then some. When it was all said and done, both men were bloodied and bruised, and Lawlor came out on top by making Thatcher tap to a Kimura. Surprisingly, Thatcher got to his feet after the match and shook Lawlor's hand, something you never see from him. That show of respect and the standing ovation from the crowd thereafter earned the duo a shot at the WUW Tag Team titles.
Their opponents? New Champions Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong. The two members of Undisputed Era climbed the ladder to victory on Night 1 and left The Young Bucks and The Motor City Machine Guns in their wake. Now they must transition from the high-flying, spot-heavy ladder match to a more grounded, technical style of warfare, and if anyone is up to the task, it's O'Reilly and Strong, who have proven time and time again that they are two of the most diverse wrestlers active today.
Can Lawlor and Thatcher work well enough together to snatch their first taste of WUW gold? Or will O'Reilly and Strong prove to the world that they are the real deal?
Their opponents? New Champions Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong. The two members of Undisputed Era climbed the ladder to victory on Night 1 and left The Young Bucks and The Motor City Machine Guns in their wake. Now they must transition from the high-flying, spot-heavy ladder match to a more grounded, technical style of warfare, and if anyone is up to the task, it's O'Reilly and Strong, who have proven time and time again that they are two of the most diverse wrestlers active today.
Can Lawlor and Thatcher work well enough together to snatch their first taste of WUW gold? Or will O'Reilly and Strong prove to the world that they are the real deal?
Singles Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Aleister Black
Aleister Black has not spent a lot of time on the WUW stage, but he has quickly become one of the biggest fan favourites of all-time. His incredible look, natural charisma, and diversity in the ring has earned him praise from all corners of the globe. So when Black lost the biggest match of his WUW career on Night 1, he returned to his hiding place, dejected and angry. Angry at the world, angry at the company, and angry at himself.
Then, there was a knock.
And the source of that knock was someone that nobody could have predicted. When Aleister Black answered the door, The Ace of Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, stood on the other side.
Aleister Black stood stone-faced and composed while the fans around the world came undone. No words were spoken, and a simple nod was all the was needed.
Did we say last night was the biggest match of Aleister Black's career? Well, we're already wrong. Because a win over arguably the biggest star in NJPW history would ensure that Aleister Black becomes a WUW mainstay for as long as he wants.
Then, there was a knock.
And the source of that knock was someone that nobody could have predicted. When Aleister Black answered the door, The Ace of Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, stood on the other side.
Aleister Black stood stone-faced and composed while the fans around the world came undone. No words were spoken, and a simple nod was all the was needed.
Did we say last night was the biggest match of Aleister Black's career? Well, we're already wrong. Because a win over arguably the biggest star in NJPW history would ensure that Aleister Black becomes a WUW mainstay for as long as he wants.
Mixed Tag Team Match
Thunder BROsa (Matt Riddle & Thunder Rosa) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Asuka
Matt Riddle is an enigma to say the very least about him. His intensity in the ring is only matched by his positivity outside of it, and that positivity has landed him in a match that he did not expect.
While sadly scooting backstage after being knocked out of the WUW World Championship tournament, Riddle came across Thunder Rosa, who had failed to claim the WUW Women's Championship from Asuka moments earlier. In a matter of minutes, Riddle's positive outlook and happy demeanor turns Rosa's frown upside-down...until the two happened across Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Asuka was celebrating retaining her title with a familiar face from home, and although Nakamura also lost, he seemed happy for someone he considered a friend. Riddle commented exactly this, but Rosa had other plans and challenged Asuka to a rematch. Asuka had no reason to accept, and therefore didn't, but that didn't stop Rosa from attacking her anyway. As the two women exchanged blows, Matt Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura got caught in the middle and before they knew it, an inter-gender tag team match was sanctioned, and Thunder BROsa was born (accented with a disgusted roll of the eyes from Rosa, and a massive shit-eating grin from Riddle).
While sadly scooting backstage after being knocked out of the WUW World Championship tournament, Riddle came across Thunder Rosa, who had failed to claim the WUW Women's Championship from Asuka moments earlier. In a matter of minutes, Riddle's positive outlook and happy demeanor turns Rosa's frown upside-down...until the two happened across Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Asuka was celebrating retaining her title with a familiar face from home, and although Nakamura also lost, he seemed happy for someone he considered a friend. Riddle commented exactly this, but Rosa had other plans and challenged Asuka to a rematch. Asuka had no reason to accept, and therefore didn't, but that didn't stop Rosa from attacking her anyway. As the two women exchanged blows, Matt Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura got caught in the middle and before they knew it, an inter-gender tag team match was sanctioned, and Thunder BROsa was born (accented with a disgusted roll of the eyes from Rosa, and a massive shit-eating grin from Riddle).
WUW Openweight Championship
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. (c)
Not a lot to tell here. Shibata came up short against WALTER, although he left it all in the ring and then some. ZSJ retained the Openweight Championship against Aleister Black, and therefore got to choose his next opponent.
When asked at the press conference after his match who he would like to face, Zack Sabre, Jr. said he couldn't think of a better opponent than Katsuyori Shibata. The two had quite the rivalry over the RevPro British Heavyweight Title, and now, 4 years later, the rivalry is rekindled with WUW gold on the line.
When asked at the press conference after his match who he would like to face, Zack Sabre, Jr. said he couldn't think of a better opponent than Katsuyori Shibata. The two had quite the rivalry over the RevPro British Heavyweight Title, and now, 4 years later, the rivalry is rekindled with WUW gold on the line.
Loser Leaves Town Tag Team Match
The Young Bucks vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
The Young Bucks lost their WUW tag team titles in last night's ladder match, and The Motor City Machine Guns once again failed to claim a victory on the WUW stage. Both tag teams have been on the downtrend in recent years after stealing the show every year for nearly a decade. This reality was hanging over their heads as Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong celebrated with their new hardware, and it clearly has boiled over into something drastic.
According to sources, the two tag teams came to this decision on their own, adding this stipulation to their match themselves. These teams have a long and storied history with one another, and this final chapter will certainly be one for the ages. It seems time for a changing of the guard in the tag team division, and after tonight, one of these insanely talented, decorated, and legendary tag teams will walk away from WUW competition forever.
According to sources, the two tag teams came to this decision on their own, adding this stipulation to their match themselves. These teams have a long and storied history with one another, and this final chapter will certainly be one for the ages. It seems time for a changing of the guard in the tag team division, and after tonight, one of these insanely talented, decorated, and legendary tag teams will walk away from WUW competition forever.
BAKER
USWA Lawlermania 2021 Results
1. World's Greatest Tag Team defeated America's Most Wanted with a Superkick-German Suplex combo to become #1 Contenders for the USWA Tag Team Championship.
2. Great Muta won a Showdown of the Skywalkers Three Way Dance over John Morrison & 2 Cold Scorpio to become USWA Television Champion.
3. Steiner Brothers defeated British Bulldogs in an action packed battle of fan favorites to become USWA Tag Team Champions.
4. Sting beat Jake "The Snake" Roberts by submission with the Scorpion Death Match in a wild Snake Pit Match.
5. Andre The Giant beat JBL to a bloody pulp en route to winning Texas Bullrope Match.
6. Randy Savage defeated Rick Rude via Flying Elbow Drop in a bloody Falls Count Anywhere No DQ Match to become USWA Southern Champion.
7. Jerry Lawler pinned Terry Funk at the 56 minute mark in a GOATs On Parade Triple Threat Match which also included Ric Flair to win the vacant USWA Unified Heavyweight Championship. This victory solidified Lawler as the Greatest Wrestler of All Time...
Or so we thought....
-Ric Flair was the first to cast doubt on Lawler's official GOAT status. Slick Ric correctly pointed out Lawler failed to pin him in the Triple Threat.
-Terry Funk just as accurately reminded fans he was the most dominant performer in the match having sidelined both Lawler & Flair for 10 minutes a piece with a pair of Piledrivers on the floor.
-Randy Savage reminded everybody he was the cream of the crop for whom history beckons.
-Andre the Giant seemed more perturbed than any of them when he mumbled something about being undefeated for 15 years along with being the biggest draw in wrestling.
-Even the normally good natured Sting could only roll his eyes and make a friendly challenge to "The King" when asked about Lawler's GOAT status.
-Newcomer Nick Bockwinkel came to the territory with the sole purpose of proving he was the GOAT. Bock set out to do just that with a series of charts and graphs containing specially selected STATS.
-JBL also continued to prattle on about being the one true Wrestling God but most of us ignored the blowhard as usual.
*A perturbed Lawler just sighed and vowed to defeat all these loudmouthed pretenders to the throne to prove once and for all that he was indeed the one true King of Wrestling.
2. Great Muta won a Showdown of the Skywalkers Three Way Dance over John Morrison & 2 Cold Scorpio to become USWA Television Champion.
3. Steiner Brothers defeated British Bulldogs in an action packed battle of fan favorites to become USWA Tag Team Champions.
4. Sting beat Jake "The Snake" Roberts by submission with the Scorpion Death Match in a wild Snake Pit Match.
5. Andre The Giant beat JBL to a bloody pulp en route to winning Texas Bullrope Match.
6. Randy Savage defeated Rick Rude via Flying Elbow Drop in a bloody Falls Count Anywhere No DQ Match to become USWA Southern Champion.
7. Jerry Lawler pinned Terry Funk at the 56 minute mark in a GOATs On Parade Triple Threat Match which also included Ric Flair to win the vacant USWA Unified Heavyweight Championship. This victory solidified Lawler as the Greatest Wrestler of All Time...
Or so we thought....
The Immediate Aftermath
Jerry Lawler winning the GOAT Triple Threat (****** match per Meltzer) was supposed to be the crowning achievement of his legendary career. In theory this was where he ascended from living legend to immortality. The good people of Memphis certainly thought so. Their raucous post-match celebration is all the proof you need. But many of the wrestlers on our stacked roster disputed what was supposed to be an undisputed claim...-Ric Flair was the first to cast doubt on Lawler's official GOAT status. Slick Ric correctly pointed out Lawler failed to pin him in the Triple Threat.
-Terry Funk just as accurately reminded fans he was the most dominant performer in the match having sidelined both Lawler & Flair for 10 minutes a piece with a pair of Piledrivers on the floor.
-Randy Savage reminded everybody he was the cream of the crop for whom history beckons.
-Andre the Giant seemed more perturbed than any of them when he mumbled something about being undefeated for 15 years along with being the biggest draw in wrestling.
-Even the normally good natured Sting could only roll his eyes and make a friendly challenge to "The King" when asked about Lawler's GOAT status.
-Newcomer Nick Bockwinkel came to the territory with the sole purpose of proving he was the GOAT. Bock set out to do just that with a series of charts and graphs containing specially selected STATS.
-JBL also continued to prattle on about being the one true Wrestling God but most of us ignored the blowhard as usual.
*A perturbed Lawler just sighed and vowed to defeat all these loudmouthed pretenders to the throne to prove once and for all that he was indeed the one true King of Wrestling.
Road To Lawlermania
*Quick synopsis of the major shows. There are six months between Lawlermanias.
*Quick synopsis of the major shows. There are six months between Lawlermanias.
Def Wrestlefest in Tupelo, MS saw Lawler wrestle Flair to a no contest in the main event when the debuting Nick Bockwinkel interfered by attacking both men around the 30 minute mark.
The strange bedfellows nature of Lethal Lottery in Evansville, IN set up many of the feuds which will culminate at our next Lawlermania. 20 wrestlers were randomly selected into tag matches with the 10 wrestlers from winning teams ultimately advancing to the big World War XXI Battle Royal (because you can have World War III so many times) at our next big event. The winner of WW21 would earn a future title shot at USWA Champion Jerry Lawler.
Lawler entered Lethal Lottery in hopes of earning a future 'bye' by winning World War XXI. Now "The King" was honest when he said he would put his title on the line against all contenders. But he also hoped to spread out that murderer's row of challengers. Alas, there would be no WW21 for our hero. Lethal Lottery dealt him a poor hand as he was forced to team with new rival Nick Bockwinkel against rulebreakers Rick Rude & JBL. Bock was already lined up for a title shot due to a combination of his history with Lawler, status as an all time great, and dastardly deeds at Def Wrestlefest. So he turned on his partner early. The 3 villains picked Lawler apart until that darn JBL pinned the outnumbered "King" with a Lariat.
Bluegrass Brawl in Louisville, KY saw Lawler defeat Bockwinkel following interference from Ric Flair who paid Bock back for his actions at Def Wrestlefest. The World War XXI main event Battle Royal was won by...
JBL. Gross! The self-proclaimed "Wrestling God" won by doing a whole lot of nothing. OK. Fine. I suppose we must give him SOME credit because he did survive until the end. But he only won because other members of the final three Savage & Funk eliminated each other in the heat of battle!
Another interesting note concerned Andre The Giant. He dominated early, highlighted by eliminating a wrestler within the first 30 seconds. 7 of the 8 remaining wrestlers, including his Lethal Lottery partner Sting, then ganged up to eliminate the biggest man, and biggest threat, in the match. The only remaining wrestler who didn't help eliminate Andre was JBL, who was likely scarred for life after that brutal Bullrope whipping courtesy of Andre. The alleged "Wrestling God" stayed far away from Andre even when the Giant was clearly on the verge of elimination.
Fire On The Mountain: The Apotheosis of JL in Knoxville, TN was a big show. Basically the "Summerslam" of this run.
Not So Quick backstory: Knoxville was the heart of the old SMW territory. Lawler was hated there for the bulk of SMW's run. For years he portrayed the same conniving coward character that he was known for in WWF. But a funny thing happened. SMW crowds eventually started coming around on Lawler. Over time he became more popular than such SMW legends as Tim Horner, Doug Gilbert, and The Patriot. And by the time SMW finally closed up shop "The King" was even rivaling Brad Armstong in popularity! Knoxville had basically become Memphis East. Alas, SMW folded up years ago and the new USWA quickly moved in to this Lawler-friendly territory.
The Big Red Mayor of Knox County was a former USWA wrestler who cut his teeth here back in the day as Unabomb who would later go on to worldwide fame in another company before embarking on a successful political career. He wanted to repay "The King" for helping him out back when he was a young man.
As we know, Lawler, having conquered the wrestling world time and time again, was now desperate to achieve immortality. So Lawler & The Mayor came up with an idea for Lawler to live forever...
Mr. Mayor offered to carve a colossal bust of Jerry Lawler atop nearby Mount de la Mieux. It was set to be bigger than Mt. Rushmore itself, making "The King" a one man Mt. Rushmore. The Lawler loving denizens of Tennessee LOVED this idea. The funds came pouring in. "Jerry Lawler Day" had been a thing in Memphis since 1988. Now the governor decreed May 9th, upon which this show oh-so-conveniently fell, would forever be known Jerry Lawler Day throughout the entire state of Tennessee.
Leave it to that jerk JBL to throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings. The World War XXI winner was set up to be the sacrificial lamb for the apotheosis of Jerry Lawler. I mean, Lawler winning was a foregone conclusion. But JBL thought it was only fair that he also be given a chance at immortality. "The Wrestling God" proposed a "winner take all" scenario. Both the USWA Unified Championship and the colossal sculpture atop Mount de la Mieux would be awarded to the winner. Lawler was like "Yeah. OK. Whatever." given JBL's status as basically a big mouthed joke. But "The King" did want to watch out for JBL's cheating. He also wanted a clean finish after the schmozzes at Def Wrestlefest & Bluegrass Brawl. So he proposed a special guest enforcer referee. Somebody big and bad who would maintain law and order. Somebody like...
Andre The Giant! JBL had no choice but to accept given Lawler had accepted his frankly ridiculous terms. Keep in mind Andre & JBL were just coming off a big feud culminating at the last Lawlermania.
Andre called it right down the middle as Lawler controlled most of the way without being able to finish off the pretender. JBL backed Lawler into the corner during a rare moment of offense. Bradshaw was unloading with fists when Andre stepped in to break it up. Unfortunately, Lawler picked that very moment to unload with a Tysonesque right hook. Lawler caught Andre right in his colossal dome! JBL started screaming "See! I told you so!" Then the unthinkable happened...
Andre started pummeling The King! A hush fell over the Knoxville crowd. Then the trash started raining down as JBL shocked the world with a Lariat for the 1-2-3. The man they all despised had just defeated their hero to win the USWA Unified Title AND become a one man Mount Rushmore atop nearby Mount de la Mieux. The irate crowd soon became even more despondent when it settled in that JBL had officially become....
THE WRESTLING GOD~!!!!!!!!!!!
*JBL soon formed a Cabinet stable with Andre The Giant as his Secretary of Defense and Nick Bockwinkel as his Press Secretary. We'd later find out JBL & Andre had been secretly colluding ever since the World War XXI Battle Royal. Remember, nobody was more upset over Lawler's GOAT claims than the Giant from Grenoble. JBL allegedly offered to pay Andre double what he had made during his previous best year in wrestling.
Volunteer Slam in Nashville, TN was up next. Main Event would be a War Games featuring JBL's Cabinet vs. Lawler's Mount Rushmore squad of himself, Funk & Flair. Naturally JBL & the original Slick Nick pointed out the audacity of Lawler's three man squad calling themselves "Mount Rushmore."
To the victor went the spoils. If Mount Rushmore won the man who scored the decisive submission would earn a title shot against JBL at the upcoming Lawlermania. I The Cabinet won no member of Mount Rushmore could challenge for JBL's Championship.
Another not so short history lesson: This 6 man War Games fell on the anniversary of the previous biggest 6 man tag in USWA history. That one featured Lawler's Royal Kingdom of himself and the New New Rockers (Corino & Jannetty) vs. The Outsiders of Hall, Nash, and the straw that stirred the drink "Tennessee Turncoat" Jeff Jarrett. This was after they had WWF but before they took over WCW. Lawler's forces turned back the first Outsider invasion. The King's Court beat them so thoroughly that Hall & Nash didn't even take JJ with them when they went to WCW with their tails tucked between their legs a few weeks later.
Alas, it would not be another Royal victory this time around. The New New Rockers were literally willing to die for their King. Not so much with Funk & Flair. They only teamed with Lawler because he was the lesser of two evils. And sure enough Flair submitted while trapped in an Andre bearhug after he had been busted open. Every time Andre squeezed the blood would pour from Flair's head wound. The Cabinet wins
Meaning no Lawler at Lawlermania? Say it ain't so...
================
It's not! Because Lawler offered to put it all on the line against JBL if the "Wrestling God" would only grant him a Lawlermania title shot. His hair. His crown. His "King" gimmick. His career. Even the promotion itself! The stakes were just too high for a born businessman like JBL to refuse.
JBL even gave us a glimpse at what his new USWA would look like. He would sell off much of it to Texas oil barons and Wall Street tycoons while still maintaining 51% control. Only 2 shows a year would be held- One in New York called JBLapalooza and one in Texas called Bradshawmania. Only Jerry Lawler can save us now...
This feud dates all the way back to Lethal Lottery where newcomer Kingston formed a tag team with Jake. That match ended in defeat after Jake DDTed Kingston just because. Truth is these two are like oil and water. Kingston is a New Yorker with fiery passion while Jake is a cool, calm, and collected Southerner with ice water in his veins. Both men have cut some epic promos on each other in these opposing styles during the build to their long awaited confrontation. One man will be forced to swallow their pride by shaking the hand of the winner and saying they respect them.
4. Steiner Brothers (c) vs. World's Greatest Tag Team- USWA Tag Title Match
This showdown between technically proficient former Division 1 amateur wrestlers will be well worth the long wait. WGTT earned this tag title shot way back at the last Lawlermania but then Charlie Haas suffered in injury. By the time he returned the Steiners had gone on tour in Japan where they continued to defend the USWA Tag Team Championship with honor and distinction. For what it's worth Shelton Benjamin went on a nice little winning streak as a singles competitor during Haas' absence where he was undefeated before losing to Great Muta in a well-deserved TV Title opportunity.
5. Great Muta (c) vs. Rick Rude- TV Title Match
This feud kicked off at Bluegrass Brawl when Muta eliminated Rude in World War XXI. Rude would get payback at Fire On The Mountain with a dastardly sneak attack after Muta defeated a game Shelton Benjamin. Muta would then get his revenge at Volunteer Slam with a mist attack that caused Rude to drop a match to longtime rival Sting.
6. Ric Flair vs. Nick Bockwinkel- Grudge Match
This feud has been raging ever since Bock interfered in the Flair/Lawler title match at Def Wrestlefest. Flair would later get revenge at Bluegrass Brawl by interfering to help Lawler defeat Bockwinkel. Then there was the already-legendary Cabinet vs. Mt. Rushmore War Games match at Volunteer Slam. The banter between these two was great, but the time for talking is over when Mr. NWA meets Mr. AWA in the USWA with bragging rights on the line.
7. Randy Savage (c) vs. Terry Funk- Falls Count Anywhere In The State of Tennessee Southern Title Match
This feud also kicked off at World War XXI when these two all time greats simultaneously eliminated each other leading to our long JBL nightmare. Things have only grown more heated as the war of words between the two wildmen continued to escalate.
8. Andre The Giant vs. Sting- Grudge Match
Another feud dating back to Lethal Lottery/World War XXI. Andre was enormously upset when his Lethal Lottery partner Sting 'turned' on him in WW21. Umm. That's not really how it works. Every man for himself! But we don't have the guts to tell big, bad Andre that. The Giant has developed quite the mean streak since selling out to JBL. Meanwhile, nobody is more upset about Andre's turn to the darkside than the Man Called Sting.
9. JBL (c) vs. Jerry Lawler- Winner Take All QUADRANGLE Match
JBL is putting the USWA Unified World Championship on the line
Lawler is putting up his hair, Kingship, career, and the USWA itself.
A match of this magnitude could only be settled in a QUADRANGLE~!
1st Fall is straight wrestling match
2nd Fall is No DQ
3rd Fall is a Thunderdome Steel Cage
Will The King of Memphis defy the odds to once again reign supreme? Or will JBL solidify his claim of being the one true Wrestling God? Find out at....
The strange bedfellows nature of Lethal Lottery in Evansville, IN set up many of the feuds which will culminate at our next Lawlermania. 20 wrestlers were randomly selected into tag matches with the 10 wrestlers from winning teams ultimately advancing to the big World War XXI Battle Royal (because you can have World War III so many times) at our next big event. The winner of WW21 would earn a future title shot at USWA Champion Jerry Lawler.
Lawler entered Lethal Lottery in hopes of earning a future 'bye' by winning World War XXI. Now "The King" was honest when he said he would put his title on the line against all contenders. But he also hoped to spread out that murderer's row of challengers. Alas, there would be no WW21 for our hero. Lethal Lottery dealt him a poor hand as he was forced to team with new rival Nick Bockwinkel against rulebreakers Rick Rude & JBL. Bock was already lined up for a title shot due to a combination of his history with Lawler, status as an all time great, and dastardly deeds at Def Wrestlefest. So he turned on his partner early. The 3 villains picked Lawler apart until that darn JBL pinned the outnumbered "King" with a Lariat.
Bluegrass Brawl in Louisville, KY saw Lawler defeat Bockwinkel following interference from Ric Flair who paid Bock back for his actions at Def Wrestlefest. The World War XXI main event Battle Royal was won by...
JBL. Gross! The self-proclaimed "Wrestling God" won by doing a whole lot of nothing. OK. Fine. I suppose we must give him SOME credit because he did survive until the end. But he only won because other members of the final three Savage & Funk eliminated each other in the heat of battle!
Another interesting note concerned Andre The Giant. He dominated early, highlighted by eliminating a wrestler within the first 30 seconds. 7 of the 8 remaining wrestlers, including his Lethal Lottery partner Sting, then ganged up to eliminate the biggest man, and biggest threat, in the match. The only remaining wrestler who didn't help eliminate Andre was JBL, who was likely scarred for life after that brutal Bullrope whipping courtesy of Andre. The alleged "Wrestling God" stayed far away from Andre even when the Giant was clearly on the verge of elimination.
Fire On The Mountain: The Apotheosis of JL in Knoxville, TN was a big show. Basically the "Summerslam" of this run.
Not So Quick backstory: Knoxville was the heart of the old SMW territory. Lawler was hated there for the bulk of SMW's run. For years he portrayed the same conniving coward character that he was known for in WWF. But a funny thing happened. SMW crowds eventually started coming around on Lawler. Over time he became more popular than such SMW legends as Tim Horner, Doug Gilbert, and The Patriot. And by the time SMW finally closed up shop "The King" was even rivaling Brad Armstong in popularity! Knoxville had basically become Memphis East. Alas, SMW folded up years ago and the new USWA quickly moved in to this Lawler-friendly territory.
The Big Red Mayor of Knox County was a former USWA wrestler who cut his teeth here back in the day as Unabomb who would later go on to worldwide fame in another company before embarking on a successful political career. He wanted to repay "The King" for helping him out back when he was a young man.
As we know, Lawler, having conquered the wrestling world time and time again, was now desperate to achieve immortality. So Lawler & The Mayor came up with an idea for Lawler to live forever...
Mr. Mayor offered to carve a colossal bust of Jerry Lawler atop nearby Mount de la Mieux. It was set to be bigger than Mt. Rushmore itself, making "The King" a one man Mt. Rushmore. The Lawler loving denizens of Tennessee LOVED this idea. The funds came pouring in. "Jerry Lawler Day" had been a thing in Memphis since 1988. Now the governor decreed May 9th, upon which this show oh-so-conveniently fell, would forever be known Jerry Lawler Day throughout the entire state of Tennessee.
Leave it to that jerk JBL to throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings. The World War XXI winner was set up to be the sacrificial lamb for the apotheosis of Jerry Lawler. I mean, Lawler winning was a foregone conclusion. But JBL thought it was only fair that he also be given a chance at immortality. "The Wrestling God" proposed a "winner take all" scenario. Both the USWA Unified Championship and the colossal sculpture atop Mount de la Mieux would be awarded to the winner. Lawler was like "Yeah. OK. Whatever." given JBL's status as basically a big mouthed joke. But "The King" did want to watch out for JBL's cheating. He also wanted a clean finish after the schmozzes at Def Wrestlefest & Bluegrass Brawl. So he proposed a special guest enforcer referee. Somebody big and bad who would maintain law and order. Somebody like...
Andre The Giant! JBL had no choice but to accept given Lawler had accepted his frankly ridiculous terms. Keep in mind Andre & JBL were just coming off a big feud culminating at the last Lawlermania.
Andre called it right down the middle as Lawler controlled most of the way without being able to finish off the pretender. JBL backed Lawler into the corner during a rare moment of offense. Bradshaw was unloading with fists when Andre stepped in to break it up. Unfortunately, Lawler picked that very moment to unload with a Tysonesque right hook. Lawler caught Andre right in his colossal dome! JBL started screaming "See! I told you so!" Then the unthinkable happened...
Andre started pummeling The King! A hush fell over the Knoxville crowd. Then the trash started raining down as JBL shocked the world with a Lariat for the 1-2-3. The man they all despised had just defeated their hero to win the USWA Unified Title AND become a one man Mount Rushmore atop nearby Mount de la Mieux. The irate crowd soon became even more despondent when it settled in that JBL had officially become....
THE WRESTLING GOD~!!!!!!!!!!!
*JBL soon formed a Cabinet stable with Andre The Giant as his Secretary of Defense and Nick Bockwinkel as his Press Secretary. We'd later find out JBL & Andre had been secretly colluding ever since the World War XXI Battle Royal. Remember, nobody was more upset over Lawler's GOAT claims than the Giant from Grenoble. JBL allegedly offered to pay Andre double what he had made during his previous best year in wrestling.
Volunteer Slam in Nashville, TN was up next. Main Event would be a War Games featuring JBL's Cabinet vs. Lawler's Mount Rushmore squad of himself, Funk & Flair. Naturally JBL & the original Slick Nick pointed out the audacity of Lawler's three man squad calling themselves "Mount Rushmore."
To the victor went the spoils. If Mount Rushmore won the man who scored the decisive submission would earn a title shot against JBL at the upcoming Lawlermania. I The Cabinet won no member of Mount Rushmore could challenge for JBL's Championship.
Another not so short history lesson: This 6 man War Games fell on the anniversary of the previous biggest 6 man tag in USWA history. That one featured Lawler's Royal Kingdom of himself and the New New Rockers (Corino & Jannetty) vs. The Outsiders of Hall, Nash, and the straw that stirred the drink "Tennessee Turncoat" Jeff Jarrett. This was after they had WWF but before they took over WCW. Lawler's forces turned back the first Outsider invasion. The King's Court beat them so thoroughly that Hall & Nash didn't even take JJ with them when they went to WCW with their tails tucked between their legs a few weeks later.
Alas, it would not be another Royal victory this time around. The New New Rockers were literally willing to die for their King. Not so much with Funk & Flair. They only teamed with Lawler because he was the lesser of two evils. And sure enough Flair submitted while trapped in an Andre bearhug after he had been busted open. Every time Andre squeezed the blood would pour from Flair's head wound. The Cabinet wins
Meaning no Lawler at Lawlermania? Say it ain't so...================
It's not! Because Lawler offered to put it all on the line against JBL if the "Wrestling God" would only grant him a Lawlermania title shot. His hair. His crown. His "King" gimmick. His career. Even the promotion itself! The stakes were just too high for a born businessman like JBL to refuse.
JBL even gave us a glimpse at what his new USWA would look like. He would sell off much of it to Texas oil barons and Wall Street tycoons while still maintaining 51% control. Only 2 shows a year would be held- One in New York called JBLapalooza and one in Texas called Bradshawmania. Only Jerry Lawler can save us now...
Lawlermania
The King
vs.
The Wrestling God
The King
vs.
The Wrestling God
Live on Pay Per View from the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee
1. British Bulldogs vs. America's Most Wanted- #1 Contenders Match
Hometown heroes AMW meet international superstars British Bulldogs in what is bound to be a fast paced action packed match between two fan favorite tag teams.
2. John Morrison vs. 2 Cold Scorpio- TV Title Contender Match
These two death defying daredevils have been feuding ever since the last Lawlermania with the score tied at 2 wins a piece. This will be the rubber match with the winner earning a shot at the coveted TV Title.
3. Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. Eddie Kingston- Respect Match
Hometown heroes AMW meet international superstars British Bulldogs in what is bound to be a fast paced action packed match between two fan favorite tag teams.
2. John Morrison vs. 2 Cold Scorpio- TV Title Contender Match
These two death defying daredevils have been feuding ever since the last Lawlermania with the score tied at 2 wins a piece. This will be the rubber match with the winner earning a shot at the coveted TV Title.
3. Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. Eddie Kingston- Respect Match
This feud dates all the way back to Lethal Lottery where newcomer Kingston formed a tag team with Jake. That match ended in defeat after Jake DDTed Kingston just because. Truth is these two are like oil and water. Kingston is a New Yorker with fiery passion while Jake is a cool, calm, and collected Southerner with ice water in his veins. Both men have cut some epic promos on each other in these opposing styles during the build to their long awaited confrontation. One man will be forced to swallow their pride by shaking the hand of the winner and saying they respect them.
4. Steiner Brothers (c) vs. World's Greatest Tag Team- USWA Tag Title Match
This showdown between technically proficient former Division 1 amateur wrestlers will be well worth the long wait. WGTT earned this tag title shot way back at the last Lawlermania but then Charlie Haas suffered in injury. By the time he returned the Steiners had gone on tour in Japan where they continued to defend the USWA Tag Team Championship with honor and distinction. For what it's worth Shelton Benjamin went on a nice little winning streak as a singles competitor during Haas' absence where he was undefeated before losing to Great Muta in a well-deserved TV Title opportunity.
5. Great Muta (c) vs. Rick Rude- TV Title Match
This feud kicked off at Bluegrass Brawl when Muta eliminated Rude in World War XXI. Rude would get payback at Fire On The Mountain with a dastardly sneak attack after Muta defeated a game Shelton Benjamin. Muta would then get his revenge at Volunteer Slam with a mist attack that caused Rude to drop a match to longtime rival Sting.
6. Ric Flair vs. Nick Bockwinkel- Grudge Match
This feud has been raging ever since Bock interfered in the Flair/Lawler title match at Def Wrestlefest. Flair would later get revenge at Bluegrass Brawl by interfering to help Lawler defeat Bockwinkel. Then there was the already-legendary Cabinet vs. Mt. Rushmore War Games match at Volunteer Slam. The banter between these two was great, but the time for talking is over when Mr. NWA meets Mr. AWA in the USWA with bragging rights on the line.
7. Randy Savage (c) vs. Terry Funk- Falls Count Anywhere In The State of Tennessee Southern Title Match
This feud also kicked off at World War XXI when these two all time greats simultaneously eliminated each other leading to our long JBL nightmare. Things have only grown more heated as the war of words between the two wildmen continued to escalate.
8. Andre The Giant vs. Sting- Grudge Match
Another feud dating back to Lethal Lottery/World War XXI. Andre was enormously upset when his Lethal Lottery partner Sting 'turned' on him in WW21. Umm. That's not really how it works. Every man for himself! But we don't have the guts to tell big, bad Andre that. The Giant has developed quite the mean streak since selling out to JBL. Meanwhile, nobody is more upset about Andre's turn to the darkside than the Man Called Sting.
9. JBL (c) vs. Jerry Lawler- Winner Take All QUADRANGLE Match
JBL is putting the USWA Unified World Championship on the line
Lawler is putting up his hair, Kingship, career, and the USWA itself.
A match of this magnitude could only be settled in a QUADRANGLE~!
1st Fall is straight wrestling match
2nd Fall is No DQ
3rd Fall is a Thunderdome Steel Cage
Will The King of Memphis defy the odds to once again reign supreme? Or will JBL solidify his claim of being the one true Wrestling God? Find out at....
LAWLERMANIA~!
